Crimson-headed Partridge
Haematortyx sanguiniceps
Unmistakable black partridge with a bright red head (hence the alternative name, “Bloodhead”). Inhabits Bornean montane forest (roughly 1000–1700 m) but may be encountered outside this altitudinal range. Gives a loud, ringing, somewhat metallic “ring-YING, ring-YING, ring-YING”.
Identification
A striking species of partridge, the crimson-headed partridge has an average length of around 25 cm (9.8 in) and the weight of one measured male was 330 g (12 oz). Adult males have a distinctive appearance; the heads, necks, and breasts, along with the final section of the undertail coverts, are crimson red, while the rest of the body is dark blackish. The bill is yellow to yellowish white, the iris is brown with a yellow orbital ring, and the feet are grey with one to three tarsal spurs. Adult females have a similar pattern, bur differ in their duller and browner plumage, more orangish red on the head and breast, brownish-black bill, and lack of spurs. Juveniles are duller and have the crimson restricted to the top of the head, with a brownish orange head, rust-red markings on a blackish-brown breast, and red tips to the wing coverts.<p>The species is unlikely to be confused with any other, with its colouration only resembling that of an immature male black partridge (Melanoperdix niger). It can be told apart from the latter by the black partridge's broader black bill.<p>The crimson-headed partridge's song is harsh, loud, repeated call rendered as KRO-krang, kong-krrang, or whu-kweng. It is frequently given alternately by two individuals. A grating, clucking kak-kak-kak, ok-ak-ok, krak-krak or whu-keng-keng-keng-kok-kok is also made when excited.
Taxonomy
In 1879, the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe described the crimson-headed partridge as Haematortyx sanguiniceps on the basis of specimens from the Lawa River. It is the type species of the genus Haematortyx, which was created for it. The name of the genus is from the Ancient Greek haima, meaning "blood", and ortux, meaning "quail". The specific name sanguiniceps comes from the Modern Latin sanguis or sanguinis, meaning "blood", and -ceps, meaning "-headed". "Crimson-headed partridge" has been designated the official common name by the International Ornithologists' Union. It is also known as the crimson-headed wood partridge. It has no recognised subspecies.<p>The crimson-headed partridge is the only species in the genus Haematortyx, in the pheasant, partridge, and francolin family Phasianidae, a family of 185 species found in terrestrial habitats throughout the world. A 2021 phylogeny by the evolutionary biologist Rebecca Kimball and colleagues found the crimson-headed partridge to be most closely related to a clade (group of all the descendants of a common ancestor) formed by the Polyplectron peacock-pheasants and the Galloperdix spurfowl. The crimson-headed partridge is the most basal (closest to the root of the phylogenetic tree) species in the group.
- Scientific name
- Haematortyx sanguiniceps
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1879
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Haematortyx
Range and habitat
The crimson-headed partridge is endemic to Borneo, where it inhabits mountains in the northern and central parts of the island. It is found in lower montane forest, including kerangas heath forest, alluvial forest, and poor quality forest in sandy soils. It is mainly seen at elevations of 1,000–1,700 m (3,300–5,600 ft), although it has been recorded as low as 185 m (607 ft) and as high as 3,050 m (10,010 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The species' generation length (average age of parents in the population) is five years. It feeds on berries, insects, and small crustaceans, foraging these from the forest floor and short vegetation.<p>Nesting occurs in kerangas forests, with nests of dry leaves being built in tussocks of grass or lichen. Egg laying has been reported from mid-January onwards, with breeding males reported in March and young in April. Clutches have 8–9 light brown eggs with dark yellowish-brown streaking. Incubation takes 18–19 days in captivity.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-cowled Widowbird
Euplectes laticauda
A small widowbird. The breeding male is jet black, with a crimson collar and crown, and a 20-centimeter floppy graduated tail. The female and non-breeding male have dark streaked upperparts, pale unstreaked or faintly streaked underparts, with a buffy band across the breast, and a yellowish eyebrow and face, and lack the long tail. Pairs breed at middle and high elevations, in open grassland, savanna, scrub, and cultivated areas. The species may flock, often with other seedeaters, and move locally when breeding is over. Breeding males are distinctive, but non-breeding males and females can be confused with many other species. Can be tentatively identified by the lack of red or yellow in the wing, along with a buffy breast that is unstreaked or only lightly streaked.
Little Shearwater
Puffinus assimilis
A small, pale-faced shearwater with the separation line between black and white on the face passing through or above the eye. Mainly sedentary and relatively shy, feeding farther offshore than similar seabirds. Winter breeding birds mainly found around the Kermadec Islands, off southwest Australia, and off the northeastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The Fluttering Shearwater can be distinguished by its larger size, smudgy brown underwing, dark face, and tendency to congregate in flocks much closer to shore.
African Pipit
Anthus cinnamomeus
The default pipit across much of Africa. Brown above and pale below, with a streaked back, well-marked face, and white outer tail feathers. There is considerable geographic variation, from pale and sandy to rich brown and rufous. Found in a variety of open and usually grassy habitats, both near water and in dry areas. Call is a sneezing “tzsht”. Song comprises consecutive series of rattles, given in flight. Very similar to other pipits; some of the key features to look for include the yellow base of the bill, streaked back, and white outer tail feathers.
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