Rufous-throated Partridge
Arborophila rufogularis
A beautiful little gamebird of foothill and highland forests with extensive ground-level cover, where it moves about in medium-sized convoys through the dense undergrowth. Usually quiet, though sings melodically and loudly at dusk and dawn. Brightly-colored, even for a partridge; both sexes have a bright orange throat, a bluish-gray chest, and orange-and-white spotting on the sides.
Identification
The rufous-throated partridge is 26–29 cm (10–11 in) long. The male weighs 325–430 g (11.5–15.2 oz) and the female weighs 261–386 g (9.2–13.6 oz). The male has a grey forehead. The olive-brown crown and nape have black mottles. There are a whitish supercilium and moustachial curves. The throat and neck-sides are orange-rufous, with black speckles. The breast and flanks are blue-grey. The upper belly is blue-grey and the central belly is whitish. The vent is buffy-brown. The mantle, back and rump are olive-brown. The scapulars and wing coverts have chestnut, black and greyish bands. The beak is dusky-brown or blackish, and the legs are pinkish or crimson. The female is similar to the male. The juvenile bird is duller below, and its crown and flanks have brown and black vermiculations. The subspecies have different patterns on their throats.
Taxonomy
The rufous-throated partridge was formally described in 1849 by the English zoologist Edward Blyth based on birds from the Darjeeling district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India. He coined the binomial name Arboricola rufogularis where the specific epithet combines the Latin rufus meaning "red" with the Modern Latin gularis meaning "throated". The rufous-throated partridge is now one of 19 partridge species placed in the genus Arborophila that was introduced by Brian Hodgson in 1837.<p>Six subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Arborophila rufogularis
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1849)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Arborophila
Range and habitat
The rufous-throated partridge is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is montane forests, mainly at elevations of 1,800–3,000 metres (5,900–9,800 ft). Oak forests containing laurels and rhododendrons are preferred.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
This partridge feeds in groups of five to ten birds. It eats seeds, plant shoots, berries, insects and snails. Surprised birds run or fly, sometimes flying to branches like some thrushes. Birds in a covey roost and huddle together in trees, similar to babblers. Breeding has been recorded from April to July in India and from February to May in China. The male builds a scrape in bamboo, forest undergrowth or along water. The nest is lined or padded with grass. Three to five white eggs are laid. The rufous-throated partridge gives a rising series of hu-hu whistles. In a duet, the partner's call is kew-kew-kew.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pacific Screech-Owl
Megascops cooperi
Medium-sized owl with short ear tufts and yellow eyes. Plumage much like other screech-owls, but relatively pale and grayish overall. Fairly common in scrubby woodland and thorn forest along the edge of the Pacific Slope lowlands. Usually detected by its gruff, bouncing-ball song. No other screech-owls occur within its range and habitat.
Spot-breasted Woodpecker
Colaptes punctigula
Attractive medium-sized woodpecker, golden-olive overall with bold black spotting on body and wings. Striking face pattern with red nape, black forecrown, white cheek, and checkered throat. Males also show red mustache; sexes otherwise similar. Widespread but usually uncommon; found in a variety of open forested habitats and edges, including scrubby second growth and gardens. Most frequently heard call is a series of peeping notes, “pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-pi.”
Least Pauraque
Siphonorhis brewsteri
A nocturnal inhabitant of open arid woodlands and thornscrub. Perches on ground from which it makes floppy and erratic flight upon its long wings in pursuit of insects. During the day it nestles in shaded leaf litter, wherein its cryptic coloration hides it well. Both the Hispaniolan Nightjar and Chuck-wills-widow are considerably larger, darker, and lack the Least Pauraque’s white terminal tail band. Calls include a low scratchy “wuck-wuck-wuck-wuck,” a low-pitched rising and trilled “tooooooeeeeeee,” and a similarly low-pitched trilled “oo-weee-oo,” with emphasis on middle syllable. The calls of the Hispaniolan Nightjar is a lower pitched “toooooeeeeeo.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.