Black Partridge
Melanoperdix niger
Infrequently-encountered small gamebird. Male is uniquely glossy-black all over, while the female is predominantly chestnut-brown with a pale lower belly. Both sexes have an odd, heavy bill somewhat reminiscent of a finch or parrot. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest, often favoring wetter areas. Forages on the ground, singly or in pairs. Generally quiet.
Identification
The black partridge (Melanoperdix niger), also known as the black wood partridge, is a small (up to 27 cm long) partridge with a thick bill, grey legs and dark brown iris. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Melanoperdix. The black partridge is sexually dimorphic. The male has entirely glossy black plumage and a black bill, while the female is generally a chestnut-brown bird with a whitish throat and belly and a dark horn-colored bill. The female is smaller than the male. The black partridge occurs in lowland rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra in southeast Asia. It was formerly found but is long extinct on Singapore. The female usually lays five to six white eggs. Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and overhunting in some areas, the black partridge is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix III of CITES in Malaysia.
Taxonomy
Genus: Melanoperdix; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Melanoperdix niger
- Authority
- (Vigors, 1829)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Melanoperdix
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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