Barbary Partridge
Alectoris barbara
Beautiful, pale-faced partridge with a spangled shawl, sexes similar. Often found on rocky slopes and dry areas of alpine forest up to 3,000 m, but in some regions, can be found in open flatter areas with sparse grass and low bushes. Highly territorial; their oft-delivered call is short series of “kchek” notes. Prefers to run away rather than fly.
Identification
The Barbary partridge is a rotund bird, with a grey-brown back, grey breast and buff belly. The face is light grey with a broad reddish-brown gorget. It has rufous-streaked white flanks and red legs. When disturbed, it prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings.<p>It is closely related to its western European equivalent, the red-legged partridge. It is similar to the red-legged partridge, but it has a different head and neck pattern. The song is a noisy tre-tre-tre-tre-tre-cheeche-tre-tre-tre.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Alectoris barbara
- Authority
- (Bonnaterre, 1790)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Alectoris
Range and habitat
The Barbary partridge has its main native range in North Africa, and is also native to Gibraltar and the Canary Islands (Alectoris barbara ssp. koenigi). It has been introduced to continental Portugal and Madeira, though there are no recent records of this species on the latter islands. It is also present in Sardinia.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Square-tailed Sawwing
Psalidoprocne nitens
A locally common dark swallow, frequently seen above forest or along the forest edge, occasionally in more open habitats. Fairly uniform brownish-black with a unique, faintly green gloss to its plumage. Tail is short and mostly square with a slight notch. In Central Africa, overlaps with the very similar Forest Swallow, and not all individuals can be identified with certainty in the field, but in general Square-tailed Sawwing has a more flowing, swallow-like flight, a greenish gloss to the plumage, a relatively uniform appearance, and a different voice. Calls are a series of short, high-pitched squeaks and whistles.
Red-billed Leiothrix
Leiothrix lutea
A plump, brightly colored babbler of dense forest understory. The yellow-orange breast and red bill are distinctive. The tail feathers have a peculiar outward curve near the tip. The song is a somewhat disjointed series of melodious phrases; calls include harsh scolding, chattering, and a repeated “peter-peter”. Native to Asia, from the eastern China west to the Himalayas; introduced to Hawaii, Japan, Reunion Island, and parts of Europe.
Leaden Flycatcher
Myiagra rubecula
A long-tailed, slender songbird with fine bill. Males rich blue-gray above, white below, with a blue-gray bib with convex lower edge (curves upward at the edges). Crown paler than throat, lending male a bearded appearance in optimal light. Male Satin Flycatcher has uniformly dark head, blackish (not grayish) tail feathers, and concave bib edge. Female paler blue-gray above, with pale orange throat and breast. Inhabits varied woodlands, perches high in the canopy, often shakes the tail rapidly. Song a repeated two-note whistle; call a loud buzzing “zerp.”
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