Arabian partridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arabian partridge |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alectoris
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| Species: |
melanocephala
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The Arabian partridge (Alectoris melanocephala) is a cool bird found in the southern Arabian Peninsula. It belongs to the Phasianidae family, which includes pheasants and quails. Sometimes, it even mixes with other partridge types like Philby's partridge.
What Does It Look Like?
These partridges are quite large compared to others in their group, called Alectoris. They can grow up to about 41 centimeters (16 inches) long! Males are a bit bigger, weighing around 724 grams (1.6 pounds). Females are a bit lighter, at about 522 grams (1.1 pounds).
Both male and female Arabian partridges look similar. They have a black cap on their head and a wide white stripe above their eyes. A thin black line separates this white stripe from their white chin and throat. This black line starts near their beak and forms a "V" shape on their neck. Their neck sides are light brown. Their body, wings, and tail are bluish-grey. They also have many dark stripes on their sides. Their legs and beak are pink. Male partridges have a small bump on their lower leg, called the tarsus.
Where Does It Live?
The Arabian partridge is originally from southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and western Oman. It has also been brought to the United Arab Emirates. You can find them on grassy hills and rocky areas. They like places with enough plants to hide in. They live from sea level up to about 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) high. Recently, a group of these birds was found further north in Saudi Arabia. This was about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from where they were usually known to live.
How Does It Behave?
This bird spends most of its time on the ground. It eats seeds and other plant parts, like Mediterranean grass and cudweed. It also enjoys small insects. The breeding season starts in March. The female lays five to eight eggs in a small dip on the ground. The eggs are light brown with speckles. They hatch after about 25 days. The young birds are precocial, meaning they can leave the nest soon after hatching.
Is It Endangered?
The Arabian partridge lives in a large area and is common in many places. We don't know the exact number of these birds. However, their population seems to be stable. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says the bird is of "least concern". This means it's not currently at risk of disappearing.
