Red-billed Partridge
Arborophila rubrirostris
Found throughout the highland forests of Sumatra (900-2500 meters), this small partridge’s bright red bill is unique in its range. Also note its reddish-brown chest, scaly black-and-white flank feathers, black-and-brown-striped back. Head pattern varies; can be predominantly black with white speckling or predominantly white with black crown and nape. Song is a rising series of whistles, some of which have a doubled quality: “wuew, wuwuew, wuew.” Like other Arborophila partridges, pairs often duet, with one bird giving the rising whistle song and another giving a series of lower “ooh” notes.
Identification
The red-billed partridge (Arborophila rubrirostris) is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is endemic to the Barisan highland forest in Sumatra, Indonesia. It is the only member of the genus Arborophila where the bill is completely red. Other members of the genus have either a yellow-tipped red bill or a black bill.
Taxonomy
Genus: Arborophila; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Arborophila rubrirostris
- Authority
- (Salvadori, 1879)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Arborophila
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Cape Griffon
Gyps coprotheres
Overall the Cape Griffon is creamy-white, much paler and larger than the White-backed Vulture. At close range, the adult’s eyes are honey-colored, and there is a speckled stripe along the middle of the wing. They nest in small to large colonies in hills and mountains but will fly hundreds of kilometers to forage. The similar White-backed Vulture is smaller and darker with a wing that is more contrasting between flight feathers and the remainder of the underwing; at close range its dark eyes are visible.
White-bellied Hummingbird
Elliotomyia chionogaster
Medium-sized hummingbird of middle and high elevations. Green above, white below, with a pinkish lower mandible. Found around forest edges and scrubby open habitats. Distinguished with care from the very similar Green-and-white Hummingbird by the white extending lower onto the underside of the tail, and by its sometimes lighter pink lower mandible; it is also typically found in more open habitats than that species.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Saucerottia saucerottei
Fairly small dark hummingbird, green overall with dark blue tail. Straight, medium-length bill. Sexes similar. Usually seen feeding singly in flowers along forest edge, shrubby second growth, and gardens. Separated from Emeralds by longer bill, blue-and-white vent, bronze patch on rump, and less deeply forked tail.
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