Barbary Partridge vs Udzungwa Forest-partridge

Alectoris barbara compared with Xenoperdix udzungwensis

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Barbary Partridge Udzungwa Forest-partridge
Scientific Name Alectoris barbara Xenoperdix udzungwensis
Order Galliformes Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Phasianidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length
Wingspan 32.6 cm (12.8 in) 28.8 cm (11.3 in)
Weight 418.5 g (14.76 oz) 207.25 g (7.31 oz)
Diet Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. Forages on floor of Udzungwa Tanzanian montane forest for seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits. Critically …
Clutch Size 6-27 3
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Barbary Partridge only

Udzungwa Forest-partridge only

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Song & Call Comparison

Barbary Partridge

Song

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.

Udzungwa Forest-partridge

Song

Loud, clear whistled 'wheee-oo' calls from montane forest floor; haunting and infrequently heard. Alarm is a sharp explosive 'kek'; poorly known due to rarity in Udzungwa Mountains.

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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.

Udzungwa Forest-partridge

Endemic to the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Found in montane forest at 1,000-2,000 m. Very poorly known; only two specimens collected.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Barbary Partridge

Endangered

Udzungwa Forest-partridge

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How to Tell Them Apart

Barbary Partridge

Plumage

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.

Udzungwa Forest-partridge

Plumage

Brown above with fine black streaking and white shaft-streaks; red legs and bill; underparts paler buff-brown with dark-edged feathers creating scaled pattern; bare red facial skin around eye.

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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.

Udzungwa Forest-partridge

A small partridge (~205 g) of family Phasianidae, with brown-streaked plumage and red legs. Endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, restricted to Udzungwa and Rubeho mountain forests above 1,300 m. Forages on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Endangered; one of Africa's rarest birds, confined to a tiny forest area threatened by agricultural encroachment and logging.

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