Chestnut-headed Partridge vs Ferruginous Partridge
Arborophila cambodiana compared with Caloperdix oculeus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-headed Partridge | Ferruginous Partridge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila cambodiana | Caloperdix oculeus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.5 cm (11.2 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 286.0 g (10.09 oz) | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of Cambodian and Thai montane forests for seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits. | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 8-10 |
| 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.
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
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Resident in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Found in lowland and foothill forest.
Ferruginous Partridge
Resident in lowland rainforest of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Found in flat or gently sloping lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Ferruginous 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.
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
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.
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.