Dulit partridge
Quick facts for kids Dulit partridge |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhizothera
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| Species: |
dulitensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Rhizothera longirostris dulitensis |
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The Dulit partridge (Rhizothera dulitensis), also known as Hose's partridge, is a very special and rare bird. It's part of the Phasianidae family, which includes pheasants. This bird lives only on the island of Borneo. Scientists used to think it was just a type of long-billed partridge, but now many believe it's its own unique species. It's so rare that no one has seen it since 1937!
What Does the Dulit Partridge Look Like?
The Dulit partridge is about 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. It has a reddish-brown (rufous-buff) body, similar to its cousin, the long-billed partridge. You can spot it by its lavender-grey band across its chest. It also has a long, black, curved beak and bright yellow legs. One way to tell it apart from the long-billed partridge is its chest band, which is twice as wide. Also, its belly feathers are a pale whitish-buff, not bright orange.
Where Does the Dulit Partridge Live?
This rare partridge only lives in the lower montane forests on the mountains of Borneo. Montane forests are special types of forests found in mountainous areas. The Dulit partridge was first discovered on Mount Dulit in northern Sarawak. Later, it was also found on Mount Murud and Mount Batu Song, which are also in Sarawak. Two birds were collected by a scientist named Everett on Mount Kinabalu in Sabah in 1895. However, no Dulit partridges have been seen in Sabah since then.
Is the Dulit Partridge in Danger?
Scientists are very worried about the Dulit partridge. It is considered a vulnerable species, meaning it faces a high risk of becoming extinct. Experts like Orenstein and others (2010) believe the bird might be seriously threatened. Its home, the forest, is being damaged or destroyed, and it might also be hunted. Because it's so rare and hasn't been seen in a very long time, finding it again is a top priority for conservationists. BirdLife International thinks its numbers might have dropped quickly because its habitat is being destroyed. They also suggest that scientists should study its exact species status more closely.
