Erckel's francolin

Pternistis erckelii

Photo by Jim Denny (Flickr)

Common name:
Erckel's francolin (en); francolim-de-Erckell (pt); francolin d'Erckel (fr); francolín de Erckel (es); Erckelfrankolin (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found in Eritrea, northern Ethiopia and eastern Sudan.

Size:
These birds are 39-43 cm long and weigh 1.050-1.590 g.

Habitat:
The Erckel's francolin is mostly found in high-altitude scrublands, favouring areas dominated by Carissa, Rumex, Maytenus and Rosa, but also use moist tropical forests, rivers and stream. They occur at altitudes of 2.000-3.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on seeds, shoots and berries, but also take some insects.

Breeding:
Erckel's francolins breed in April-November and are believed to be monogamous. They nest in a scrape in the ground, where the female lays 4-10 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 21-23 days and the chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and follow the mother around while being able to feed themselves.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be generally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Painted spurfowl

Galloperdix lunulata

Photo by Rishiraj Deval (India Nature Watch)

Common name:
painted spurfowl (en); perdiz-colorida (pt); galloperdrix lunulée (fr); faisancillo moteado (es); perlspornhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to India, being found south of the Gangetic Plain, from eastern Rajasthan to West Benghal and south to southern Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu.

Size:
These birds are 27-34 cm long. Males tend to be larger than females, weighing 255-285 g, while females weigh 225-255 g.

Habitat:
The painted spurfowl is mostly found in dry scublands, including Anogeissus, Bridelia, Acacia and Mimosa, also using rocky hillsides. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 900 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on seeds, berries, fruits and tubers of various plants, such as Zizyphus, Lantana and Ficus, as well as flowers and some insects.

Breeding:
Painted spurfowl breed in January-August. They are believed to be monogamous and nest on a shallow scrape on the ground, lined with leaves, and often located under the cover of a boulder. The female lays 3-5 pale creamy eggs. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both parents take care of the young. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation and fledging periods.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as locally frequent. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Taiwan partridge

Arborophila crudigularis

Photo by Kun Chin Chung (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
Taiwan partridge (en); perdiz-da-Formosa (pt); torquéole de Formose (fr); arborófila de Formosa (es); Taiwanbuschwachtel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Taiwan, being found throughout most of the island with the exception of the westernmost and southernmost parts.

Size:
These birds are 22-28 cm long and weigh 210-310 g.

Habitat:
The Taiwan partridge is found in primary, temperate broad-leaved forests, at altitudes of 700-2.300 m.

Diet:
They feed on seeds, berries, seedlings, leaves, worms and insects.

Breeding:
Taiwan partridges breed in February-August. They are believed to be monogamous and nest in a crevice among boulders, or hidden at the base of a tree. There the female lays 6-8 which are incubated for 20-21 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching, but there is no information on fledging age.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 20.000-50.000 individuals. Although there are no data on population trends, habitat loss is suspected to be causing a slow to moderate decline.

Grey francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus

Photo by Jugal Tiwari (Discover Life)

Common name:
grey francolin (en); francolim-cinzento (pt); francolin gris (fr); francolín gris (es); wachtelfrankolin (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found throughout most of India and eastern Pakistan, and also into southern Nepal, southern Iran and marginally into Afghanistan. It has also been introduced to the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula, to several island in the Indian Ocean such as the Seychelles, Reunion and Mauritius, and to Hawaii.

Size:
These birds are 30-35 cm long and weigh 200-340 g.

Habitat:
The grey francolin is found in grasslands, semi-thorny scrublands, dry savannas and arable land, most often favouring areas near human settlements.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the seeds and shoots of various grasses and herbs, including cereals and other crops, but also take fruits and berries, and insects such as termites.

Breeding:
Grey francolins can breed all year round and nest in a scrape on the ground or in a niche in a rock wall. There the female lays 6-9 buff eggs which are incubated for 21-23 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching, following the parents around for the first few weeks.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be common in most parts of its range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Buff-throated partridge

Tetraophasis szechenyii

Photo by Hu Yong (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
buff-throated partridge (en); perdiz-faisão-de-papo-pardo (pt); tétraophase de Szecheny (fr); perdiz-faisán gorgiclara (es); rostkehl-keilschwanzhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found in the mountains of Tibet, in south-western China and marginally into extreme north-eastern India.

Size:
These birds are 30-60 cm long and weigh 660-1.800 g.

Habitat:
The buff-throated partridge is found in high-altitude habitats including fir and oak forests and grasslands and scrublands above the treeline, also using rocky areas. They are present at altitudes of 3.300-4.600 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the leaves, roots, stems, bulbs, fruits and seeds of various herbs and scrubs, also taking moss and in some areas rice and corn provided by local monasteries.

Breeding:
Buff-throated partridges breed in April-June. They are monogamous and can either breed in solitary pairs or show cooperative breeding, with up to 3 helpers, mostly males, participating in brooding and nest defense. They nest either in scrapes in the soil, lined with leaves, sticks, and bark, and usually located at the base of a tree or scrub, or in a stick nest placed on a tree branch. The female lays 3-4 eggs which are incubated for about 4 weeks. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching, and are then guided by the mother until fledging.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is considered very rare and local in India, but thought to remain widespread and not uncommon in the China. The population in eastern Tibet was estimated at 25.000-40.000 individuals. There is no information on population trends.

Common pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Photo by Gerard Blokhuis (Wikipedia)

Common name:
common phaesant (en); faisão (pt); faisan de Colchide (fr); faisán común (es); fasan (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
These bird originate from Asia, from the Caucasus, through northern Iran into Kazakhstan and Afghanistan and Mongolia, and into eastern and southern China, Korea, and marginally into south-eastern Russia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Due to its popularity as a game bird they have been introduced in Europe where they are found throughout the continent except northern Scandinavia and Iceland, to North America where they are found from southern Canada to the south western and north-eastern United States, and also to parts of Australia, New Zealand, Morocco and several islands in the Caribbean.

Size:
These birds are sexually dimorphic with the larger males measuring 70-90 cm, with 35-45 cm for the tail alone, while females are 55-70 cm long of which 20-25 cm are just the tail. They have a wingspan of 55-85 cm and weigh 1,1-1,5 kg.

Habitat:
They are found in a wide range of habitats, including forests ranging from rainforests to alpine and boreal forests, scrublands, grasslands and agricultural land including arable land, pastures and rice fields.

Diet:
The common pheasant is omnivorous, taking plant matter such as wild and agricultural seeds and grains, shoots, roots and berries, as well as insects and other invertebrates including grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, crickets, ants, snails and earthworms.

Breeding:
Common pheasants are polygynous, with males having harems composed of several females. They breed in March-June. Each female scrapes a shallow depression in the ground, lined
with grasses, leaves, weed stalks, fine twigs and feathers, which is usually located among tall vegetation. There she lays 7-15 olive-brown to blue-grey eggs, which she incubates alone for 23-28 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching. They are able to fly 12-14 days after hatching, but continue to follow the mother for about 2 months.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and a global population estimated at 45-300 million individuals. The common pheasant is widespread and very common in much of its range, however populations are declining locally owing to habitat loss and over-hunting.

Madagascar partridge

Margaroperdix madagascariensis

(Photo from Pinterest)

Common name:
Madagascar partridge (en); perdiz-de-Madagáscar (pt); perdrix de Madagascar (fr); perdiz malgache (es); perlwachtel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Madagascar, being found throughout the country with the exception of the south-western coast. It has also been introduced to Réunion and Mauritius.

Size:
These birds are 24-28 cm long and weigh about 220 g.

Habitat:
The Madagascar partridge is found in tropical grasslands and scrublands, and also in clearings within moist tropical forests and in arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.700 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on seeds, but also take berries and insects.

Breeding:
Madagascar partridges are monogamous and breed in March-June. They nest on a simple scrape in the ground, often hidden under a tuft of grass or scrub. The female lays 8-20 eggs rufous-brown eggs with dark brown mottles which are incubated for 18-19 days. The chicks are nidifugous, leaving the nest soon after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and the global population is estimated at 20.000-50.000 individuals. This species is declining owing to habitat degradation caused by annual fires and over-hunting, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Black francolin

Francolinus francolinus

Photo by Ahmet Karatash (Trek Nature)

Common name:
black francolin (en); francolim-escuro (pt); francolin noir (fr); francolín común (es); halsbandfrankolin (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found from Turkey and Israel, through Syria, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan, and into northern India, Nepal, south-western China and Bangladesh.

Size:
These birds are 31-36 cm long and weigh 420-550 g.

Habitat:
The black francolin is found in cultivated areas, such as arable land, irrigated fields and plantations, as well as in grasslands and scrublands. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.500 m.

Diet:
They feed mainly on the seeds of various grasses, weeds and agricultural crops, but also take
shoots, leaves, tubers, berries, figs, insects and their larvae, spiders, earthworms, and occasionally even amphibians and reptiles.

Breeding:
Black francolins are monogamous and the breeding season varies according to the range, but is associated to the rains. The nest is built by the female, consisting of a shallow scrape on the ground, concealed amongst the vegetation, in tall grasses or cultivated areas. It is lined with grasses, twigs and leaves. The female lays 7-14 eggs pale brown or greenish eggs with white spots, which she incubates alone for 18-21 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are raised by both parents. Each pair produces 2 clutches per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as rare in some parts of its range, but common to widespread in other areas. The black francolin suffered heavy declines in some areas due to over-hunting, but hunting bans have halted this problem and the population in now suspected to be stable.

Snow partridge

Lerwa lerwa

Photo by Ulrich Weber (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
snow partridge (en); perdiz-das-neves (pt); lerva des neiges (fr); perdiz Lerwa (es); Lerwahuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found in the Himalayas mountain range, in northern India and Pakistan, Nepal and south-western China.

Size:
These birds are 38-40 cm long. The females tend to be smaller, weighing 450-580 g while the males weigh 550-700 g.

Habitat:
The snow partridge is found in high-altitude grasslands and scrublands above the tree-line, as well as in bare rocky areas. They are present at altitudes of 3000-5000 m.

Diet:
They feed on mosses, lichens and the shoots of plants.

Breeding:
Snow partridges are monogamous and breed in May-July. The nest is a scrape on the ground, in a hill-side under some sheltering rock, sometimes lined with moss. There the female lays 2-5 pale buff eggs with fine reddish mottles, which she incubates alone while the male stands guard. There is no information regarding the length of the incubation period. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and despite being common throughout much its range, the population has declined locally owing to human encroachment, habitat destruction and hunting.

Sri Lanka junglefowl

Gallus lafayetii

Photo by Michael Tseng (Flickr)

Common name:
Sri Lanka junglefowl (en); galo-do-Ceilão (pt); coq de Lafayette (fr); gallo de Ceilán (es); Ceylonhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Sri lanka, being found throughout most of the island.

Size:
These birds have a very marked sexual dimorphism. The males are 66-72 cm long and weigh 790-1.440 g, while the females are much smaller at 35 cm long and 510-650 g in weight. 

Habitat:
They are present in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal scrublands to mountain rainforests and also arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed on grain, weed seeds, berries, flowers, various succulent leaves and buds, and also many small animals, such as termites, beetles, woodlice, crickets and centipedes.

Breeding:
Sri Lanka junglefowl can breed all year round, but mainly in February-September. They typically nest on the ground, among scrubs or below logs, but are also known to use abandoned squirrel or crow nests, several metres above the ground. The female lays 2-4 light brown eggs with reddish-brown speckles, which are for 20-21 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and being quickly able to scratch for food. They rely on the mother for protection for some time. They can raise 2 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as locally abundant. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Hill partridge

Arborophila torqueola

Photo by Josep del Hoyo (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
hill partridge (en); perdiz-montesa (pt); torquéole à collier (fr); arborófila común (es); hügelhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found on the slopes of the Himalayas, in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and northern India, and also into Myanmar, northern Thailand and northern Vietnam.

Size:
These birds are 27-30 cm long and weigh 230-390 g.

Habitat:
The hill partridge is mostly found in mountain, moist tropical forests, but also uses tropical forests at lower altitudes and mountain moist scrublands. They are present at altitudes of 1.500-2.700 m.

Diet:
They feed on various seeds and invertebrates.

Breeding:
Hill partridges breed in April-June. The nest in a bowl or dome made of grass, placed on the ground or sometimes on a bank. The female lays 3-9 eggs which are incubated for 24 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be generally fairly common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction, but it is not considered threatened at present.

Rain quail

Coturnix coromandelica

Photo by Jugal Tiwari (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
rain quail (en); codurniz-da-chuva (pt); caille nattée (fr); codorniz coromandélica (es); regenwachtel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found throughout India and marginally into Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and also into Myanmar and southern Thailand.

Size:
These birds are 15-17 cm long and weigh 64-71 g.

Habitat:
The rain quail is mostly found in grasslands and scrublands, also using arable land. They are known to move between different parts of their range in response to monsoon rains, avoiding the areas with heavier rains and moving into other areas that become more attractive with the rains.

Diet:
They eat the seeds of various grasses and seeds, as well as small insects and insect larvae.

Breeding:
Rain quails breed in March-October, the exact period varying between different areas in accordance with monsoon patterns. They are monogamous with strong pair bonds. The nest is a small hollow on the ground, lined with grasses or sometimes without any lining, often hidden among low scrubs. The female lays 4-9 yellowish or rust coloured eggs with yellow streaks, which are incubated for 16-19 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching, but remain with their parents for up to 8 months.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is apparently widespread and generally common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Chukar partridge

Alectoris chukar

Photo by Christodoulos Makris (Trek Nature)

Common name:
chukar partridge (en); perdiz-chucar (pt); perdrix choukar (fr); perdiz chucar (es); chukarhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found from south-eastern Europe, in Bulgaria and Greece, through Turkey and the Middle East and into central Asia to Pakistan, northern China, Mongolia and southern Russia. The chukar partridge has been introduced to western North America, Hawaii and New Zealand.

Size:
These birds are 32-39 cm long and have a wingspan of 47-52 cm. They weigh 450-800 g.

Habitat:
The chukar partridge is found in scrublands, temperate grasslands and rocky mountain slopes, from sea level up to an altitude of 4.500 m.

Diet:
They feed on shoots, seeds, bulbs and roots of various grasses, but will also take ants and other insects during summer.

Breeding:
Chukar partridges are monogamous. The breed in March-July, nesting on a simple scrape in the ground, sometimes lined with feathers and grasses. The nest is usually placed among ferns or scrubs, or protected by rocks. The female lays 7-21 yellowish-white eggs with brown speckles, which she mostly incubates alone for 22-25 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are able to feed themselves, following their parents and sometimes joining other family groups. They start flying 3-4 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has an extremely large breeding range and a global population estimated at 2-10 million individuals. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Silver pheasant

Lophura nycthemera

Photo by Allan Drewitt (Flickr)

Common name:
silver pheasant (en); faisão-prateado (pt); faisan argenté (fr); faisán plateado (es); silberfasan (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
The silver pheasant is found in south-eastern Asia, from southern China down to Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Size:
These birds exhibit a large sexual dimorphism, especially because of the large tail of the males. Including the tail, the males are 120-125 cm long while the smaller females are 60-75 cm long. The males weigh 1,1-2 kg while the females weigh 1,1-1,3 kg.

Habitat:
Silver pheasants are found in dry grasslands and tropical moist forests, especially along the forest edge, from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:
They forage on the ground, mainly taking seeds and fruits, but also some invertebrates.

Breeding:
Silver pheasants breed in March-June. The males are polygamous, often living in small groups with one male and several females. They nest on the ground, where the female lays 6-9 eggs. Some nests can have up to 15 eggs, but these a most likely from several females. The eggs are incubated for 25-26 days and the precocial chicks are able to feed themselves soon after hatching. Both sexes help the chicks find food and protect them from predators.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is reported to be widespread and common. Some populations  are declining locally owing to ongoing habitat destruction and unsustainable levels of hunting.

Painted bush-quail

Perdicula erythrorhyncha

Photo by P.J. Vasanthan (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
painted bush-quail (en); perdiz-do-mato-pintada (pt); perdicule à bec rouge (fr); perdicilla piquirroja (es); buntwachtel (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to India, occurring in two disjunct subspecies. P.e.blewitti is found
from the Satpuras to the northern Eastern Ghats, while P.e.erythrorhyncha in found in the Western Ghats, the Nilgiris and other areas of southern India such as Biligirirangans and Shevaroys.

Size:
These birds are 17-18 cm long and weigh 50-65 g.

Habitat:
The painted bush-quail is found in dry tropical scrublands and grasslands, as well as in arable land, at altitudes of 600-2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed on the ground eating the seeds of various grasses and scrubs.

Breeding:
The painted bush-quail breeds in December-March and again in August-October. The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground, under a scrub or rock, where the female lays 4-7 pale-buff eggs. The female incubates the eggs alone for 16-18 days and the chicks leave the nest soon after hatching. The follow the mother and rely on her protection.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as locally common over most of this range. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Himalayan snowcock

Tetraogallus himalayensis

Photo by Rémy Lecolazet (Oiseaux)

Common name:
Himalayan snowcock (en); galo-das-neves-dos-Himalaias (pt); tétraogalle de l'Himalaya (fr); perdigallo himalayo (es); Himalayakönigshuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is found across the Himalayas, from eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, through northern India and Nepal and north into western China and eastern Kazakhstan.

Size:
These birds are 54-74 cm long and have a wingspan of 86-97 cm. They weigh 2-3,6 kg.

Habitat:
The Himalayan snowcock is found in high, open, steep mountain slopes, between the tree-line and the snow-line, mostly in alpine grasslands and rocky areas. They occur at altitudes of 3.600-4.600 m.

Diet:
They feed on plant matter such as rushes, tubers, leaves, young shoots, berries, grasses and grass seeds.

Breeding:
Himalayan snowcocks breed in April-July. They are monogamous and nest in a depression on the ground, lined with dry grasses and feathers, situated amongst tussocks of grass, and often protected by rock or boulders, or in caves. There the female lays 6-12 olive or brown eggs with reddish-brown blotches, which she incubates alone for 25-28 days while the male stands guard. The precocial chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and follow the parents until the nest breeding season.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as widespread. Although the Himalayan snowcock is hunted for food the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Shelley's francolin

Francolinus shelleyi

Photo by Achim Mittler (Flickr)

Common name:
Shelley's francolin (en); francolim-de-Shelley (pt); francolin de Shelley (fr); francolín de Shelley (es); Shelley-frankolin (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This African species is found in in the south-eastern portion of the continent, from Kenya and Tanzania, through Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and down to eastern South Africa.

Size:
The Shelley's francolin is 30-35 cm long and weighs 480-500 g.

Habitat:
These birds are found in dry savannas, woodlands and dry grasslands, particularly in areas of rocky ground. They are mainly found at altitudes of 700-3.000 m.

Diet:
Shelley's francolins mainly eat corms, bulbs, seeds and grains, but will also take insects during the summer.

Breeding:
They can breed all year round, varying between different parts of their range. The nest is a scape in the ground, lined with grasses and roots and placed among grass or bushes. There the female lays 3-8 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 20-22 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are able to fly short distances after 12 days, but only become fully independent 5 weeks after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
The Shelley's francolin has a very large breeding range and is reported to be generally common to locally rare. The population is declining owing to habitat degradation caused by over-grazing and burning.

Congo peafowl

Afropavo congensis

(Photo from Animal Picture Archive)

Common name:
Congo peafowl (en); pavão-do-Congo (pt); paon du Congo (fr); pavo del Congo (es); Kongopfau (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae


Range:
This African species is endemic to the lowland rainforests of the Congo river basin, in the central parts of D.R. Congo.


Size:
These birds are 60-70 cm long and weigh 1-1,2 kg.


Habitat:
The Congo peafowl is mostly found in lowland primary rainforests, but also in other forests types, including dry forests, often near watersheds. They are present up to an altitude of 1.200 m.


Diet:
They have a fairly diverse diet, which includes various fruits and seeds, as well as insects and other invertebrate.


Breeding:
The breeding season of the Congo peafowl is variable, depending on local rainfall conditions. They are monogamous, apparently living in small family groups, and nest in a scrape or hollow in the ground. The female lays 2-4 eggs, which she incubates alone for 27-28 days. The chicks are precocious and leave the nest soon after hatching, but the parents take care of them for several weeks.


Conservation:
IUCN status - VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a large breeding range, but the global population is estimated at just 2.500-10.000 individuals. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat loss and hunting pressure. Mining and the associated human settlement result in an increasing forest clearing which causes further logging, agricultural development and hunting.

Blood pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

Photo by Dhritiman Mukherjee (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
blood pheasant (en); faisão-sangue(pt); ithagine ensanglantée (fr); faisán de sangre (es); blutfasan (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae


Range:
This Asian species is found in the mountains of Nepal, northern India, Bhutan, Tibet, northern Myanmar and south-central China.


Size:
Blood pheasants are 40-48 cm long and weigh 410-620 g.


Habitat:
These birds are found in coniferous and mixed forests, in bamboo forests, scrublands and alpine meadows. They occur at altitudes of 2.500-4.500 m.


Diet:
These birds eat lichens, pine seeds, green shoots, berries and some invertebrates including snails, butterflies, flies and beetles.


Breeding:
Blood pheasants breed in May-July. They nest on the ground, in a shallow saucer made of dry twigs lined with leaves, thin tree roots and mosses. The female lays 5-14 pink or yellowish white eggs with brown speckles, which she incubates alone for 27-33 days while the male stands guard. The chicks are able to walk and feed themselves just 2 days after hatching, but continue to be brooded and protected by the female for 5-6 weeks.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be common and widespread in some areas and scarce in others. Populations are declining throughout much of its range owing to habitat loss and degradation caused by timber extraction, overgrazing and agricultural conversion, as well as hunting pressure. Still, the blood pheasant is not considered threatened at present.

Red-legged partridge

Alectoris rufa

Photo by José Ardaiz (Fotonatura)

Common name:

red-legged partridge (en); perdiz-comum (pt); perdrix rouge (fr); perdiz roja (es); rothuhn (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Galliformes

Family Phasianidae

Range:

The red-legged partridge is native of south-western Europe, being found from portugal and Spain, through France and into Italy and southern Germany. This species is a popular game birds and it has been introduced to several countries, namely Algeria, Greece, Ireland, U.K. and New Zealand.

Size:

These birds are 32-36 cm long and have a wingspan of 47-50 cm. Males tend to be larger than females. The females weigh 400-500 g while the males weigh 500-550 g.

Habitat:

Red-legged partridges are generally found in agricultural areas, grasslands and natural pastures, open woodlands, Mediterranean scrublands and in rocky areas. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:

These birds eat a wide range of plants, including the seeds of both natural and agricultural cereals, leaves, roots and shoots of green grasses and wild fruits and berries. They sometimes also eat insects.

Breeding:

Red-legged partridges breed in April-July. The male builds the nest, a shallow scrape on ground, screened by rocks or vegetation and thinly lined with vegetation. There the female lays 10-16 creamy-yellow or buff eggs with with reddish-brown or grey spots and blotches. The eggs are incubated for 23-25 days and the female is responsible incubating the first clutch while the male incubates the second clutches if a second clutch is layed. The chicks are able to feed by themselves a few days after hatching and are able to make short flight at 10 days of age, but will remain with the parent until 50-60 days after hatching. Each pair raises 1-2 clutches per year.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least concern)

This species has a very large breeding range and a global population estimated at 6-13,5 million individuals. The population is declining owing to over-hunting, loss of habitat caused by urbanisation and agricultural intensification and increased competition and hybridisation with introduced rock partridges A. graeca and chukar partridges A. chukar, but overall it is not considered threatened at present.