Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge
Dendrortyx leucophrys
Very elusive, chickenlike bird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forests and adjacent shade-coffee plantations in the highlands of extreme southeast Chiapas and from Guatemala to Costa Rica. Usually in pairs or small groups on the forest floor; may be seen beside quiet trails and roads early and late in the day. Runs away quickly and rarely flies. Note the white crown and throat, dark bill, and red eyering. Loud rollicking songs are given mainly early and late in the day and most often reveal its presence.
Identification
The buffy-crowned wood partridge is 28 to 35.5 cm (11.0 to 14.0 in) long. Males weigh an estimated 397 g (14.0 oz) and females an estimated 340 g (12 oz). The nominate subspecies' forehead, supercilium, chin, and throat are white. It has a patch of bare red skin around the eye. The crown, its short crest, and the nape are chestnut and the back, wings, and tail are chesnut and gray. The belly is blue-gray with chestnut streaks. D. l. hypospodius is larger, darker, and grayer. The stripes on the breast are very dark and much narrower.
Taxonomy
The holotype of the buffy-crowned wood partridge was collected in Cobán, Guatemala, in June 1843 by Adolphe Delattre and given the binomial Ortyx leucophrys. It was originally in the collection of the 13th Earl of Derby who bequeathed it to the people of Liverpool in 1851. It is housed in the World Museum of the National Museums Liverpool with accession number D1496.<p>The buffy-crowned wood partridge shares the genus Dendrortyx with two other species, all of which appear to be quite distinct from each other. It has two subspecies, the nominate Dendrortyx leucophrys leucophrys and D. l. hypospodius. The latter has sometimes been considered a separate species. The members of D. l. leucophrys in Honduras and Nicaragua were previously treated as another subspecies.
- Scientific name
- Dendrortyx leucophrys
- Authority
- (Gould, 1844)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Odontophoridae
- Genus
- Dendrortyx
Range and habitat
The buffy-crowned wood partridge is found in three separate areas. The nominate subspecies is found from Chiapas in southern Mexico into western Guatemala and in Honduras, El Salvador, northwestern Nicaragua, and far eastern Guatemala. D. l. hypospodius is found in central Costa Rica. The species inhabits several humid to semi-humid montane forest types including oak-pine, evergreen, and cloudforest. It can be found in secondary forest, partially logged areas, and coffee plantations.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The buffy-crowned wood partridge apparently forages by scratching through leaf litter. Its diet has not been well studied but includes seeds, buds, small fruits, and invertebrates. It moves about in family groups of four to six and in the non-breeding season in coveys of up to 12.<p>The buffy-crowned wood partridge's nesting season appears to span from February to June. It generally nests on the ground, either building a domed structure or hollowing out a space in dense grasses. The clutch size is six to seven.<p>The buffy-crowned wood partridge's primary vocalization is "a rapid series of loud hoarse whistles 'kee-orr-KWA' or 'whew, Whit-cha, cha-waWHAT-cha'", usually preceded by a few hard to hear soft notes. It calls the most at dawn and into daylight and again at dusk.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-necked Greenbul
Chlorocichla falkensteini
A medium-sized greenbul of thickets and tangles that prefers edge and semi-disturbed habitats. Most often seen in pairs or small family groups, but it will occasionally join other species in flocks. Gray below except for a bright yellow throat, and uniformly yellow-green above with reddish eyes. Most likely to be confused with the similarly named Yellow-throated Greenbul, which usually has a paler whitish throat in areas where the two species overlap. Yellow-necked Greenbuls can be distinguished by their uniformly gray underparts, brighter olive-green upperparts, dark red eyes, and consistently bright yellow throats. Voice is a variable subdued chatter, “kur-ku-kurkwu.”
Pacific Baza
Aviceda subcristata
Conspicuous medium-sized hawk with broad paddle-shaped wings that pinch in close to the body. When perched it is easily distinguished from other species by small black crest on the back of gray head and enormous yellow eyes, prominent brown stripes on white belly. Often found in suburban areas. Crashes into foliage to snatch insect prey. Has distinctive "mee-choo" call.
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia
Chlorophonia occipitalis
Small, chunky, emerald-green finch of humid evergreen forest in highlands and foothills. Usually in pairs or small groups feeding at fruiting trees and bushes, often in the canopy where easily overlooked. Note the bright yellow belly and stubby bill. Blue crown patch often difficult to see, given that birds are usually overhead. Note similar Green Shrike-Vireo, which occurs in some of the same areas.
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