Arabian Partridge vs Crested Partridge
Alectoris melanocephala compared with Rollulus rouloul
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arabian Partridge | Crested Partridge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris melanocephala | Rollulus rouloul |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 37.1 cm (14.6 in) | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 623.0 g (21.98 oz) | 250.5 g (8.84 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, leaves, berries, and invertebrates in rocky Arabian scrubland and wadis. | Forages on floor of Southeast Asian lowland rainforests for seeds, fallen fruits, and invertebrates. Scratches … |
| Clutch Size | 5-11 | 4-6 |
| 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.
Crested Partridge
High-pitched, thin whistled 'seee' repeated persistently; metallic and insect-like. Males call from forest floor, rarely seen. Alarm is an explosive low grunt followed by rapid wing beats.
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.
Crested Partridge
Resident in lowland and foothill rainforest of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Found below 1,500 m.
Conservation Status
Arabian Partridge
Crested 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.
Crested Partridge
Male is dark glossy green-black with vivid red-crimson erectile crest; red orbital skin; chestnut wings. Female is entirely bright emerald green with brown wings, red legs, and grey head; among …
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.
Crested Partridge
A small partridge (~250 g) of family Phasianidae, males with vivid crimson crest and iridescent green plumage. Found in lowland tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Forages on the forest floor for fallen seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Vulnerable; dependent on primary lowland forest, heavily impacted by deforestation and palm oil expansion.