Arabian Partridge vs Ferruginous Partridge
Alectoris melanocephala compared with Caloperdix oculeus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arabian Partridge | Ferruginous Partridge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris melanocephala | Caloperdix oculeus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 37.1 cm (14.6 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 623.0 g (21.98 oz) | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, leaves, berries, and invertebrates in rocky Arabian scrubland and wadis. | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … |
| Clutch Size | 5-11 | 8-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Arabian Partridge
Loud, deep 'chuck-chuck-CHUKKAR' calls from Arabian Peninsula rocky wadis; lower and more resonant than other Alectoris. Alarm is rapid harsh cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn from rocky terrain.
Ferruginous Partridge
Sharp, staccato 'krik-krik-krik' calls from lowland rainforest; often given in duet. Alarm is a loud, rapid chattering rattle; contact notes between pairs soft and clucking.
Geographic Range & Migration
Arabian Partridge
Endemic to the Arabian Peninsula; resident of rocky desert hillsides and wadi slopes in Yemen, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, below 3,000 m.
Ferruginous Partridge
Resident in lowland rainforest of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Found in flat or gently sloping lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Arabian Partridge
Ferruginous Partridge
How to Tell Them Apart
Arabian Partridge
Grey-blue upperparts; white flank bars edged black; large white face and throat with bold black surround extending up to black crown; chestnut-barred flanks; red bill and legs. Largest Alectoris partridge.
Ferruginous Partridge
Rich ferruginous (deep rusty-orange) overall; upperparts black-and-rufous barred; flanks black boldly spotted white; bare red facial skin; underparts rufous-orange; one of the most vividly coloured Southeast Asian partridges.
About These Birds
Arabian Partridge
A large Phasianidae partridge (~623 g) of rocky wadis, lava fields, and arid hillsides in the Arabian Peninsula. Boldly marked with a black head, white supercilium, and chestnut flank bars. Inhabits steep rocky terrain; feeds on seeds, leaves, and invertebrates. Nationally protected in several states; Least Concern.
Ferruginous Partridge
A small partridge (~210 g) of family Phasianidae, with rich ferruginous (rust-red) plumage and spotted black-and-white markings. Inhabits lowland and foothill rainforests in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Secretive, foraging on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Near Threatened; associated with primary and tall secondary forest, declining with ongoing logging and land conversion.