Alternative names: Long-tailed Tree-quail; Long-tailed Tree Partridge
- Dendrortyx macroura
Identification
29-37 cm. A Wood Partridge with a very long tail.
- Black forehead, sides of head, throat and foreneck
- Two white streaks above and below eye
- Chestnut and grey plumage, bluish grey breast, chestnut upper back with wide grey margins, pale markings on wings and tail
- Black crown and short crest with buff streaks
- Red eyering, bill and legs
Females are smaller and have a shorter tail. Immatures are spotted with dark brown on underside, they are less chestnut on breast.
Distribution
Endemic to southern Mexico.
Status not well known, may decrease due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Taxonomy
Six subspecies recognized:
- D. m. macroura in southern Mexico (valley of México and Veracruz)
- D. m. diversus in southwest Mexico (montane oak-pine forests of northwest Jalisco)
- D. m. griseipectus on western slope of mountains of Distrito Federal, México and Morelos
- D. m. striatus in southwest Mexico (southern Jalisco to Michoacán and Guerrero)
- D. m. inesperatus in southern Mexico (Chilpancingo area of Guerrero)
- D. m. oaxacae in southern Mexico (montane oak-pine forests w Oaxaca)
Habitat
Montane forest at 1500-3300m. Often in dense undergrowth.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on flower buds, flowers, small fruits and seeds.
Forages on the ground, scratching in leaf litter and humus, forages also in trees.
Breeding
Breeding season starts from late April. The nest is placed on the ground, some are covered with leaves and twigs, others uncovered. Lays 4 eggs.
Movements
A sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1994. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334153
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Long-tailed Wood Partridge. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Long-tailed_Wood_Partridge
