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.