- Sand Partridge
Taxobox
name = Sand Partridge
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Galliformes
familia =Phasianidae
genus = "Ammoperdix "
species = "A. heyi"
binomial = "Ammoperdix heyi"
binomial_authority = (Temminck,1825 )The Sand Partridge, "Ammoperdix heyi", is a
gamebird in the pheasant familyPhasianidae of the orderGalliformes , gallinaceous birds.This
partridge has its main native range fromEgypt andPalestine east to south Arabia. It is closely related and similar to its counterpart in southeastTurkey and east toPakistan , theSee-see Partridge , "Ammoperdix griseogularis".This 22-25 cm
bird is a resident breeder in dry, open and often hilly country. It nests in a scantily lined ground scrape laying 5-7 eggs. The Sand Partridge takes a wide variety of seeds and some insect food.The Sand Partridge is a rotund bird, mainly sandy-brown with wavy white and brown flank stripes. The male has a grey head with a white stripe in front of the eye and a white cheek patch. The neck sides are plain, and not speckled with white. The head pattern is the best distinction from See-see Partridge.
The female is a very washed-out version of the male, and is more difficult to distinguish from its relative due to the weak head pattern.
When disturbed, Sand Partridge prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings. The song is a slurred "kwa-kwa-kwa".
References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* "Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse" by Madge and McGowan, ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/46994/summ Sand Partridge on the 2007 IUCN Red List]
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