Long-billed Partridge
Rhizothera longirostris
Strange-looking and little-known partridge with a distinctive, faintly-hooked, dark bill. Male has a brownish-orange head and gray neck and chest. Female has a rusty-brown head and neck. Found in lowland and foothill forest; generally uncommon and patchy throughout range. Secretive, foraging quietly on the forest floor, rarely emerging into the open. Gives a loud, echoing “weeweew”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rhizothera longirostris
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1815)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Rhizothera
Range and habitat
It is found in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. There are two distinct subspecies; the nominate race R. l. longirostris is relatively widespread, while R. l. dulitensis, sometimes considered to be a full species known as the Dulit partridge or Hose's partridge (R. dulitensis), has a very restricted range in the mountains of central Borneo.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Lesbia victoriae
Small hummingbird with an exceptionally long tail. Green overall with a fairly short, slightly decurved bill. The male’s long tail is striking. Sexes similar but females are more spotted below and have a shorter tail. Could be confused with Long-tailed Sylph, but the trainbearer occurs in dry, scrubby, open habitats, not in forests. Compare with very similar Green-tailed Trainbearer; Black-tailed has a longer, more decurved bill, a longer tail that usually looks slightly curved, and is somewhat duller green. Occurs from Colombia to Peru, from around 2,500 to 3,800 m. Occasionally visits feeders, but more often seen feeding at flowering shrubs.
Grayish Mourner
Rhytipterna simplex
Large, rather monochromatic flycatcher that frequents the middle to upper levels of humid forests where it often accompanies mixed-species flocks. The plumage of males is a uniform gray with dark-red eyes, while females and juveniles have brownish wings-edges and tail. Very similar to Screaming Piha, but is smaller and has more rufous eyes. The song is a loud and fast “tr-tr-tr-chew” with emphasis on the “chew” note and is a conspicuous part of the dawn chorus.
Mexican Violetear
Colibri thalassinus
Rather large, overall bright green hummingbird of highlands. Favors pine-oak forest and edge, especially overgrown clearings and roadsides with dense flower banks. Fairly common and is especially conspicuous when singing. Song is a jerky, metallic, chipping song given tirelessly from an exposed twig at middle to upper levels in trees. When feeding often stays fairly well hidden within flowers. Note overall deep green plumage with dark violet cheek and breast patches, and broad dark tail band.
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