05 August 2015

Arabian Partridge – Mount Soudah

The Arabian Partridge Alectoris. m. melanocephala is an endemic to the Arabian peninsula. In Saudi Arabia it occurs from Madinan in the northern Hejaz mountains south to the Yemen boarder in the Asir mountains. They are larger than other members of its genus reaching about 41 centimetres in length with sexes being similar in appearance but males are slightly larger than females. They occur on stony and well vegetated ground in hills, mountains and upland plains, from near sea level to 3000 metres, including montane juniper forest. They feed on vegetable matter, seeds and invertebrates generally in small groups of up to 10 and when disturbed or escaping predators generally runs uphill. Gives a distinct loud and deep call most commonly a "cuck, cuck, cuck, owk-owk-owk" which starts slowly but evenly and increases in tempo and volume. The best place for seeing the species in Saudi Arabia is the Abha area where they can be generally see in small numbers in the early morning often feeding on or by the roadsides.
Arabian Partridge

Arabian Partridge

Arabian Partridge

Arabian Partridge

Arabian Partridge