birds

Udzungwa Forest Partridges

Udzungwa Forest Partridge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis)

The Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis also known as Udzungwa Partridge is a small, up to 29cm long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey below, olive-brown crown and upperparts.

It has a red bill, brown iris, and yellow legs. Males and females look alike.

Discovered only in 1991, this bird was first noticed as a pair of strange feet in a cooking pot in a Tanzanian forest camp. It inhabits and is endemic to forests of the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania.

A second population from the Rubeho Highlands was initially believed to be a well-marked subspecies but is now recognized to be specifically distinct (Bowie and Fjeldså, 2005). The diet consists mainly of beetles, ants, and seeds.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range, and being hunted for food, the Udzungwa Forest partridge is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

 

Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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