Great Argus vs Ferruginous Partridge
Argusianus argus compared with Caloperdix oculeus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Argus | Ferruginous Partridge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Argusianus argus | Caloperdix oculeus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 76.8 cm (30.2 in) | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) |
| Weight | 1956.25 g (69.00 oz) | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous ground forager; eats fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; scratches leaf litter in … | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 8-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Great Argus
Magnificent loud 'qua-WAWW' wailing call echoing through SE Asian rainforest; one of most distinctive tropical bird calls. Male calls from cleared dancing arena. Alarm is explosive barking cackle.
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
Great Argus
Resident of lowland and hill forest in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, from sea level to 900 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
Great Argus
Ferruginous Partridge
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Argus
Male with enormously elongated secondary feathers bearing large three-dimensional ocelli in tawny-brown, black, and buff; long dark tail; blue and red bare head. Female similar but shorter wings and tail.
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
Great Argus
A large Phasianidae pheasant (~1.96 kg) of Sundaland rainforests. Males possess enormous secondary wing feathers covered with intricate eye-spots used in a remarkable solo lek display. Clears a dancing court on the forest floor. Feeds on fallen fruits, shoots, and invertebrates. Vulnerable from deforestation.
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.