| Rubeho Forest-partridge | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Subfamily: | Perdicinae |
| Genus: | Xenoperdix |
| Species: | X. obscurata |
| Binomial name | |
| Xenoperdix obscurata Bowie & Fjeldså, 2005 |
|
The Rubeho Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix obscurata is a small, approximately 29 cm long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey underparts, 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 Highlands in Tanzania. It was formerly considered to be a well-marked subspecies of the Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis of the Udzungwa Mountains, but is now recognized to be specifically distinct [1]). The diet consists mainly of beetles, ants and seeds.
Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range and overhunting, the Rubeho Forest Partridge is now endangered