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
Blue-gray Robin
Melanodryas cyanus
A fairly small bird of montane forest. Blue-gray plumage, with contrasting blackish wings and tail. Perches low down, often on diagonal branches or vertical mossy trunks, flicking its tail and scanning the ground for insects. Very similar to Smoky Robin, but Blue-gray has a distinct bluish tinge to the gray, lacks the paler belly and has more contrasting black wing feathers. Several different vocalizations, including mournful, monotonous whistles, an up-and-down, whistled jumble and a rasp.
White-eyed Thrush
Turdus jamaicensis
A medium-sized dusky bird that prefers moist montane forests, but can be also found in most wooded areas with dense vegetation. Feeds in trees and on the ground. Its namesake white eye is distinctive, but its bright broken white throat collar, contrasting so markedly with its dark plumage, is also unique. Shier than the somewhat similar White-chinned Thrush, which has a dark eye, orange bill and legs, and lacks a white collar. The White-eyed Thrush’s song is a long series of highly variable, repeated phrases (phrases most often repeated thrice, but commonly from two to five times). Calls include a plaintive whistled “weee-woooo,” with the first note slightly higher and a quick, almost ducklike “yak.”
Little Slaty Flycatcher
Ficedula basilanica
A small bird of tangled undergrowth in lowland and foothill forest. White below with pale orange legs. Male has dark gray upperparts and a short white stripe behind each eye. Upperparts are dark brown in female with no head stripes. Female similar to Chestnut-tailed Jungle-Flycatcher, but has orange legs and a dark brown rather than chestnut tail. Song consists of short, varied whistled notes, often in a rising or falling series. Also gives single thin high downslurred whistles.
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