Arabian Partridge
Alectoris melanocephala
Handsome partridge of southern Arabia. Pale gray overall, with a tan patch on the neck, black-and-white slashes along the sides, and a complicated black-and-white facial pattern. In flight, shows dark wingtips and black sides to the tail. Found on rocky hillsides with significant amounts of vegetation. Usually in small groups. The most common vocalization is a series of “chok” calls that becomes quicker and more emphatic as it progresses. Similar to Philby’s Partridge, but distinguished by the white throat, black crown, and in flight by the lack of chestnut in the tail.
识别特征
Larger than other members of its genus, Alectoris, the Arabian partridge reaches a length of about 41 cm (16 in). The sexes are similar in appearance but males are a little larger than females weighing on average 724 grams (25.5 oz) against the female's 522 grams (18.4 oz). The crown and nape are black and there is a broad white band above the eye, separated from the white chin and upper throat by a narrow black line. This starts at the corner of the beak, passes below the eye and forms a "V" shape on the neck. The sides of the neck are pale brown and the body, wings and tail are bluish-grey with much dark barring on the flanks. The legs and beak are pink. Males have a knob on the tarsus (lower leg).
分类信息
- 学名
- Alectoris melanocephala
- 命名信息
- (Rüppell, 1835)
- 目
- Galliformes
- 科
- Phasianidae
- 属
- Alectoris
分布与栖息地
The Arabian partridge is native to southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen and western Oman. It has been introduced to United Arab Emirates. The subspecies A. m. guichardi occurs in eastern Hadramut and eastern Yemen and A. m. melanocephala occurs in the rest of the range. It is found on grassy slopes and stony ground with a reasonable amount of vegetation cover, from near sea level to an altitude of about 1,400 metres (4,600 ft). In 2022, a population of the birds was found in Harrat Uwayrid Biosphere Reserve in Saudi Arabia, around 100 kilometres (62 mi) further north than all other known populations.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
A ground-dwelling bird, it feeds on seeds, other plant material such as Mediterranean grass and cudweed, and small invertebrates. The breeding season starts in March and a clutch of five to eight eggs is laid in a shallow scoop on the ground. The eggs are pale buff flecked with brown and are incubated for about 25 days before hatching into precocial young that are soon able to leave the nest.
保护状况
The Arabian partridge has a wide range and is common in many parts of this. The total size of the population is unknown but the population trend appears to be steady. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the bird's conservation status as being of "least concern".
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Jamaican Woodpecker
Melanerpes radiolatus
A striking medium-sized species of wooded habitats. The white face framed by the red of its nape and crown and its finely barred black-and-white back is distinctive; resembles no other species in its range. Sometimes first detected by its determined excavation of rotting wood. Vocalizations include an emphatic, slightly rough “urp,” and a burry “urr-urr-urr-urr” given as a rapid rolling burst.
White-bellied Crested Flycatcher
Elminia albiventris
Slim, dark member of the fairy flycatcher family. Shows a blackish head, a slight crest, and an inconspicuous white lower belly. Found in the understory and mid-story of montane forest. Often in pairs, frequently joining mixed-species flocks. A perky, active bird that never seems to stop moving. Similar to Dusky Crested-Flycatcher, but generally found at higher elevations, and shows white on the belly. Also similar to White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher, but smaller, with less white on the belly and no white in the tail.
Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
A medium-sized buff-brown francolin with an occasionally-raised bushy crest. There is a broad “string-of-pearls” collar around the white throat. It frequents savanna and riverine forest. Heralds the dawn and dusk with a repeated, rapid, cheery “cheer kirk-kik” call usually given as a synchronized duet between a pair. Walks confidently with a cocked tail, giving it a chicken’s gait.
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