Vietnam Partridge | |
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Information | |
Common Name | Annam Partridge and Annam Hill-partridge |
Range | Vietnam in the dense moist lowland forests of central Annam. |
Scientific Classification | |
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Chordata |
Class | Aves |
Order | Galliformes |
Family | Phasianidae Perdicinae |
Genus | Arborophila |
Species | Arborophila merlini |
Conservation Status | |
Endangered |
The Vietnam partridge (Arborophila merlini), also known as the Annam partridge or Annam hill partridge, is a species of partridge in the Phasianidae family. The taxonomy of the three scaly-breasted lowland hill-partridges is confused, and this species is sometimes treated as a subspecies of scaly-breasted partridge (Arborophila chloropus), or both are lumped with chestnut-necklaced partridge (Arborophila charltonii).
It is endemic to Vietnam in the dense moist lowland forests of central Annam.
Description[]
This species is 29 cm long, with the female slightly smaller than the male. The male weighs 290 grams and the female 250 grams.
The Vietnam partridge has a finely barred brown back. Its head is paler except for a brown crown and ear coverts. It has a scaly upper breast, lacking the chestnut of its relatives, and the rest of the underparts are buff with dark arrow markings on the flanks. The sexes have similar plumage.
The call is a series of clear whistles.
Behavior and Status[]
This little-known and shy species feeds in small flocks on seeds, berries and termites. It is threatened by habitat loss through deforestation and is restricted to two small areas of Annam.