- Annam Hill-partridge
Taxobox
name = Annam Hill-partridge
status = EN
status_system = iucn3.1
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Galliformes
familia =Phasianidae
genus = "Arborophila "
species = "A. merlini "
binomial = "Arborophila merlini "
binomial_authority = Delacour & Jabouille, 1924The Annam Hill-partridge or Vietnam Partridge, "Arborophila merlini", is a species of hill partridge in thePhasianidae family ofbird s. The taxonomy of the three scaly-breasted lowland hill-partridges is confused, and this species is sometimes treated as a subspecies ofScaly-breasted Partridge ("A. chloropus"), or both are lumped withChestnut-necklaced Partridge ("A. charltonii").It is an endemic resident breeder in
Vietnam in the dense moist lowlandforest s of central Annam.Description
This species is 29 cm long, with the female slightly smaller than the male. The male weighs 290 grams and the female 250 grams.
The Annam Hill-partridge has a finely barred brown back. Its head is paler except for a brown crown and ear coverts. It has a scaly upper breast, lacking the chestnut of its relatives, and the rest of the underparts are buff with dark arrow markings on the flanks. The sexes have similar plumage.
The call is a series of clear whistles.
Behaviour and status
This little-known and shy species feeds in small flocks on seeds, berries and
termite s. It is threatened byhabitat loss through deforestation and is restricted to two small areas of Annam.References
* Madge and McGowan, "Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse" ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
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