One of the 5 partridges on WAnimals
Birds · Galliformes · Phasianidae
Udzungwa Forest-partridge
Xenoperdix udzungwensis
It faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. See full glossary
The Udzungwa forest partridge is one of the most recently discovered birds in Africa: it was not described until 1991, from a pair of legs found at a hunters' camp in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Its closest living relative is in Asia, thousands of kilometres away, which makes it a biogeographical relic of the first order.
Weight
200 g – 300 g
Size
29 cm – 30 cm
Lifespan
10 years
Diet
Omnivore
Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.
Activity
Diurnal
Active mainly during the day.
Sighting difficulty
Hard
Estimated population
Fewer than 3,000 mature individuals
Fun facts
- It was discovered in 1991 thanks to a pair of legs found in the remains of a meal at a hunters' camp: the researchers did not recognise the species, and that led them to look for the living bird in the forest.
- Its closest relatives are the forest partridges of South-East Asia, thousands of kilometres away: it is a relic of a fauna that once connected the African and Asian forests.
- It lives only on two massifs of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, isolated cloud forests that hold a concentration of endemic species comparable to that of oceanic islands.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
- Habitat & environment
- Floor of humid montane forest of the Udzungwa and Rubeho ranges, in Tanzania
- Sexual maturity
- 12 months
- Gestation / incubation
- 22 days of incubation
- Litter / clutch size
- 3 eggs
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenoperdix_udzungwensis
Where to watch it
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Udzungwa Forest-partridge — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Udzungwa Red Colobus
Piliocolobus gordonorum
Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
Narina Trogon
Apaloderma narina
Crowned Eagle
Stephanoaetus coronatus
Abbott's Duiker
Cephalophus spadix
Green Peafowl
Pavo muticus
How to help
The udzungwa forest-partridge is classified as endangered. Organizations such as UICN, WWF y Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programs is a good starting point if you want to get involved.
It's documented in 1 real protected area — part of why protecting these places matters for its conservation.
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about udzungwa forest-partridge.
Comments
Share an experience, a fun fact or a tip for seeing the udzungwa forest-partridge.
Be the first to comment.