Barbary Partridge vs Golden Pheasant
Alectoris barbara compared with Chrysolophus pictus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barbary Partridge | Golden Pheasant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris barbara | Chrysolophus pictus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | 35.4 cm (13.9 in) |
| Weight | 418.5 g (14.76 oz) | 625.0 g (22.05 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. | Forages on seeds, berries, leaves, and invertebrates on forest floors; scratches soil for roots and … |
| Clutch Size | 6-27 | 5-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Barbary Partridge
Loud, nasal 'kee-kee-kee-KARRR' calls from N African rocky terrain; slightly lower than Red-legged Partridge. Alarm is rapid cackling cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn on rocky hillsides and scrub.
Golden Pheasant
Sharp, metallic 'chak' or 'aa-ak' call; thinner and more shrill than Common Pheasant. Males call from dense Chinese forest. Alarm is a rapid sharp cackle. Wing clap audible during take-off …
Geographic Range & Migration
Barbary Partridge
Resident of rocky hillsides, scrub, and coastal areas in North Africa (Morocco to Libya), Canary Islands, Sardinia, Gibraltar, and Madeira.
Golden Pheasant
Native to mountain forest and bamboo in central and southern China; widely introduced and established in Britain, New Zealand, and other regions.
Conservation Status
Barbary Partridge
Golden Pheasant
How to Tell Them Apart
Barbary Partridge
Blue-grey upperparts; chestnut-spotted white flank bars; grey crown; rufous-brown collar with white spots; reddish-orange bill and legs; white face. Closely resembles Red-legged Partridge but collar spotted.
Golden Pheasant
Male spectacularly ornate: golden-yellow crest; orange and black barred ruff; scarlet body; dark green mantle; blue wings; long golden tail. Female cryptically barred buff-brown. Extreme sexual dimorphism.
About These Birds
Barbary Partridge
A medium Phasianidae partridge (~419 g) of rocky hillsides, scrub, and open slopes across North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Gibraltar. Grey-brown with a spotted chestnut-necklace pattern. Lives in pairs or small coveys; feeds on seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Least Concern; introduced as a gamebird in several regions.
Golden Pheasant
One of the most vividly coloured Phasianidae birds (~625 g), native to mountainous forests of central China. Males bear a golden crest, scarlet body, and barred orange cape. Despite spectacular plumage, males are shy and fast-running. Feeds on seeds, leaves, and insects. Least Concern.