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
Northern Shrike-tit
Falcunculus whitei
Small bird with short, heavy bill. Green above, yellow below, with bold black-and-white head pattern. Male has black chin, female dark greenish. Found in parts of the Top End of the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Inhabits eucalypt woodlands. Song a loud clear three-note whistle followed by a longer rising whistle. Formerly treated as one of the geographically isolated subspecies of Crested Shrike-tit.
Common Hill Myna
Gracula religiosa
Glossy black myna with bright yellow head wattles. Also note bright candlewax-orange bill and white wing patches that are most apparent in flight. A species of mature humid forest and forest edge, often seen in pairs or small flocks flying between or perched up in tall trees. Famed for its wide repertoire: gives a myriad of screams, squeaks, chirps, and whistles. Threatened by its popularity in the cage bird trade.
Yellow-billed Lorikeet
Neopsittacus musschenbroekii
A medium-sized, long-tailed parrot of mid-montane forest and edge. Predominantly green with a bright red patch from the chest, where it is broadest, to the belly. Yellow bill and lime green streaks radiating from the eye. Readily seen flying in small flocks. Similar to Orange-billed Lorikeet, but Yellow-billed Lorikeet is usually found at lower elevations, is slightly larger with an obviously yellow bill and reddish undertail. Call, a shrill, high-pitch “siiik!”.
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