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Rubeho forest partridge

Rubeho forest partridge
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Xenoperdix
Species:
X. obscuratus
Binomial name
Xenoperdix obscuratus
Fjeldså & Kiure, 2003
Synonyms[2]

Xenoperdix udzungwensis obscurata

The Rubeho forest partridge (Xenoperdix obscuratus) is a small, approximately 29 centimetres (11 in) long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey underparts, and olive-brown crown and upperparts. It has a red bill, brown iris, and yellow legs. Both sexes are similar.

It inhabits and is endemic to forests of the Rubeho Mountains in Tanzania. It was formerly considered to be a well-marked subspecies of the Udzungwa forest partridge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis obscurata) of the Udzungwa Mountains,[3] but is now recognized to be specifically distinct.[2] Its diet consists mainly of beetles, ants, and seeds.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range, and overhunting, Xenoperdix obscuratus is considered endangered,[2] although it has not been evaluated by the IUCN separately from X. udzungwensis.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ As a subspecies of Xenoperdix udzungwensis. X. obscuratus has not been evaluated separately by IUCN.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Xenoperdix udzungwensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22678901A92794026. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678901A92794026.en.
  2. ^ a b c Bowie, Rauri C. K.; Fjeldså, Jon (2005). "Genetic and morphological evidence for two species in the Udzungwa forest partridge Xenoperdix udzungwensis". Journal of East African Natural History. 94 (1): 191–201. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2005)94[191:GAMEFT]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 59430148.
  3. ^ Fjeldså, J.; Kuire, J. (2003). "A new population of the Udzungwa forest partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis". Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. 123: 52–57.
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