Sabah Partridge
NameSabah Partridge
Common NameBornean Partridge
Scientific NameMelanoperdix niger
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)32
Length (cm)25
Weight (g)225
Plumage DetailsThe female (pictured) has a black body finely barred with white, especially on the flanks and back. Her breast is a rich rufous-chestnut. The head is predominantly white with a black crown, a black line through the eye, and black mottling on the throat and ear coverts. The bill is dark, and legs are greyish.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a quiet species, its vocalizations include soft, low 'coo' or 'whistle' notes, and a series of soft clucking sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeEndemic to the island of Borneo, found in Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak), Indonesia (Kalimantan), and Brunei.
Identifying FeaturesSmall, plump body shape, Female: Distinctive white head with black markings, Female: Rufous-chestnut breast, Female: Black body with fine white barring, Ground-dwelling behavior in dense forest undergrowth
Description
This small, plump ground-dwelling bird is endemic to Borneo. The female, as pictured, exhibits striking plumage with a rufous breast and a distinctive white head marked with black. They are shy birds, typically foraging for food on the forest floor.
