Rubeho Forest-partridge | |
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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