Arabian Partridge - BirdForum Opus

Alectoris melanocephala

Photo by peterarras
Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, UAE, February 2010

Identification

Black crown, broad white band begins in front of the eye and extends to the back of the head, white chin and upper throat, narrow black band from bill, extending to the the cheek and forming a "V" on the neck; pale brown sides of the neck pastel brown, bluish grey body, pronounced barring on the sides. Males have a tarsal knob. Females are slightly smaller.

Distribution

Photo by peterarras
Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, UAE, February 2010

Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

Two subspecies are recognised by some authorities: A. m. melanocephala'' and A. m. guichardi^[2]

Habitat

Rocky hillsides and grassy slopes to 4500 feet.

Behaviour

The clutch consists of five to eight brown flecked, pale buff eggs. Incubation lasts for 24 to 26 days.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Avibase
3. gbwf.org
4. Wikipedia

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Arabian Partridge. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Arabian_Partridge

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