Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Bar-backed partridge

Arborophila brunneopectus

Edward Blyth, 1855

In Thai: นกกระทาดงอกสีน้ำตาล

The bar-backed partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus), also known as the brown-breasted hill-partridge, is a species of partridge in the family Phasianidae. It is found in southwestern China and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy

English zoologist Edward Blyth first described the bar-backed partridge in 1855. It has three subspecies: A. b. brunneopectus, described by Blyth in 1855; A. b. henrici, described by Émile Oustalet in 1896; and A. b. albigula, described by Cecil Boden Kloss and Herbert Christopher Robinson in 1919. These subspecies differ in colouration and patterns of their underparts and head, respectively. Some identify the chestnut-bellied partridge and grey-breasted partridge or even the Sichuan partridge or red-breasted partridge as superspecies of the bar-backed partridge.

Description

The bar-backed partridge is typically 280 mm long in total, with an average wingspan of 144 mm for males and 134 mm for females of the species. They usually have 6 - 7 cm tails, and their bills are about 20 - 21 mm in length. On average, males have a 42 mm tarsus, while females have 39 mm.

The males are similar in color to females. It is mostly buff in color, with black running from the beak, around the eyes, and to the throat, as well as a black crown and feather tips along its back. It has red eyelids, and its wing feathers are white with black tips, adding brown near the back of the bird.

Distribution and habitat

The bar-backed partridge is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam over an estimated 486000 km2.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is typically found at relatively low elevations, under 3000, but have been seen at 5000 and above.

Behaviour

They flock in groups of about 4–9, usually consisting of two parents and their latest offspring or sometimes two families. They feed on seeds, small shells, and insects found in leaves on the forest floor. When disturbed by humans, they quickly scatter into the underbrush. Captive male bar-backed partridges attract a mate by exposing the red feathers around their throat and calling. They breed around May to June, and their 37 by 28 mm eggs are usually laid in a hole covered with bamboo and grass.

Status

The bar-backed partridge has been evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range; however, its population is slowly declining because of habitat loss and hunting, although this decline is not steep enough to make it Vulnerable.

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Category / Seasonal Status

BCST Category: Recorded in an apparently wild state within the last 50 years

BCST Seasonal status: Resident or presumed resident

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Arborophila
Species
Arborophila brunneopectus

Common names

  • Thai: นกกระทาดงอกสีน้ำตาล

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Near Threatened (IUCN3.1)

Near Threatened (ONEP)

Near Threatened (IUCN3.1)

Near Threatened (BCST)

Photos

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Bar-backed partridge (male)
Bar-backed partridge (female)
Bar-backed partridge
Bar-backed partridge
Bar-backed partridge

Range Map

Distribution map of Bar-backed partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus in Thailand
  • Chae Son National Park
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Doi Inthanon National Park
  • Doi Lang
  • Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
  • Huai Nam Dang National Park
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Mae Wong National Park
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Pha Daeng National Park
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Suan Sai National Park
  • Taksin Maharat National Park
  • Thong Pha Phum National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary
Range map of Arborophila brunneopectus in Thailand