Bar-backed Partridge
Arborophila brunneopectus
An earth-colored partridge with a black throat and white cheeks. Most similar in appearance to White-cheeked Partridge; look out for a longer, much thicker white brow which extends down to the neck and a reddish patch of bare skin encircling the eye. Fine dark barring on the back isn’t as noticeable as bold black-edged white scaling on the flanks. Often found in drier forested habitats than other partridges, ranging from lowlands into the foothills.
Identification
The bar-backed partridge is typically 280 mm (11 in) long in total, with an average wingspan of 144 mm (5.7 in) for males and 134 mm (5.3 in) for females of the species. They usually have 6–7 cm (2.4–2.8 in) tails, and their bills are about 20–21 mm (0.79–0.83 in) in length. On average, males have a 42 mm (1.7 in) tarsus, while females have 39 mm (1.5 in).<p>The males are similar in color to females. It is mostly buff in color, with black running from the beak, around the eyes, and to the throat, as well as a black crown and feather tips along its back. It has red eyelids, and its wing feathers are white with black tips, adding brown near the back of the bird.
Taxonomy
English zoologist Edward Blyth first described the bar-backed partridge in 1855. <p>The bar-backed partridge has three recognized subspecies: <p>These subspecies differ in colouration and patterns of their underparts and head, respectively. Some identify the chestnut-bellied partridge and grey-breasted partridge or even the Sichuan partridge or red-breasted partridge as superspecies of the bar-backed partridge.
- Scientific name
- Arborophila brunneopectus
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1855)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Arborophila
Range and habitat
The bar-backed partridge is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam over an estimated 486,000 square kilometres (188,000 sq mi).<p>Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is typically found at relatively low elevations, under 3,000 feet (910 m), but have been seen at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) and above.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
They flock in groups of about 4–9, usually consisting of two parents and their latest offspring or sometimes two families. They feed on seeds, small shells, and insects found in leaves on the forest floor. When disturbed by humans, they quickly scatter into the underbrush. Captive male bar-backed partridges attract a mate by exposing the red feathers around their throat and calling. They breed around May to June, and their 37 by 28 mm (1.5 by 1.1 in) eggs are usually laid in a hole covered with bamboo and grass.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Brown Quail
Synoicus ypsilophorus
Large, heavily marked quail, but from a distance appears fairly plain and brown. Typically found in swampy areas with long grass. Scurries across pathways in small groups, or explodes from cover when almost underfoot. Distinctive 2-note whistle often reveals its presence.
Groove-billed Toucanet
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