Chestnut-headed Partridge vs Hill Partridge
Arborophila cambodiana compared with Arborophila torqueola
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-headed Partridge | Hill Partridge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila cambodiana | Arborophila torqueola |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.5 cm (11.2 in) | 27.3 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 286.0 g (10.09 oz) | 342.0 g (12.06 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of Cambodian and Thai montane forests for seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits. | Forages on Himalayan forest floor for seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits. Scratches leaf litter in … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 3-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Melodic, slightly tremulous 'wee-WEE-oo' repeated 3–5 times; pure whistle quality. Calls from Cambodian highland forest at dawn. Alarm is a harsh, clucking rattle when disturbed.
Hill Partridge
Repeated melodic whistle 'wi-WHEEEOO' rising and falling; pairs often duet. Males sing from hillside undergrowth at dawn. Alarm is a sharp, emphatic 'kek' or staccato clucking.
Geographic Range & Migration
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Resident in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Found in lowland and foothill forest.
Hill Partridge
Resident in the Himalayas and hills of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and southern China at 1,000-3,500 m. Found in oak and rhododendron forest.
Conservation Status
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Hill Partridge
How to Tell Them Apart
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Rich chestnut-orange head contrasting with grey breast; brown back with black streaks; throat buff-white; flanks grey with white streaks; bare red eye-ring; chestnut head is boldly distinctive.
Hill Partridge
Male has orange-rufous face, white-spotted black throat collar, grey breast, and chestnut flanks streaked white on dark brown back. Female has brown face with buff streaking, less vivid collar.
About These Birds
Chestnut-headed Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~285 g) of family Phasianidae, with a distinctive chestnut head and nape. Inhabits foothill and montane forests in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia and adjacent Thailand. Forages on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Least Concern; found in relatively intact montane forest within a restricted range; protected by rugged terrain.
Hill Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~340 g) of family Phasianidae, with intricate rufous, black, and white patterning and an orange-rufous head. Inhabits subtropical and montane broadleaved forests and bamboo thickets in the Himalayas from Pakistan to southwestern China. Forages on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Least Concern; common in Himalayan foothills.