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.
| Rubeho forest partridge | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Xenoperdix |
| Species: | X. obscuratus
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| Binomial name | |
| Xenoperdix obscuratus Fjeldså & Kiure, 2003
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Xenoperdix udzungwensis obscurata | |
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
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fjeldså, J.; Kuire, J. (2003). "A new population of the Udzungwa forest partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis". Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. 123: 52–57.