Dendrortyx barbatus
The Bearded Wood Partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus) is a striking and elusive gamebird endemic to the cloud forests of eastern Mexico. This relatively large quail-like bird measures approximately 28-32 cm (11-12.6 in) in length, with a long, graduated tail contributing significantly to its profile. Its plumage is generally grayish-brown on the back and wings, often with rufous tones on the nape and upper mantle, while the underparts are typically paler gray, sometimes washed with buff. The most ...
Found exclusively in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, particularly cloud forests and areas near coffee plantations, at elevations ranging from 900 to 3000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, berries, buds, and leaves collected from the forest floor, supplemented with a small proportion of invertebrates.
Bearded Wood Partridges are primarily diurnal, foraging on the forest floor during the day and roosting in trees, often on horizontal branches, at night. They typically move in small, cohesive coveys of 3-10 individuals, using a secretive, skulking manner through dense undergrowth. Foraging invol...
The Bearded Wood Partridge is endemic to a narrow strip of montane cloud forest in eastern Mexico. Its distribution is primarily concentrated in the Sierra Madre Oriental, extending from southeastern Hidalgo and northern Puebla, south through central Veracruz, into extreme northern Oaxaca. This s...
Vulnerable
- The 'beard' of the Bearded Wood Partridge is a unique feature among New World Quail, distinguishing it instantly from its relatives. - Despite its relatively large size for a quail, it is remarkably shy and elusive, making it one of the more challenging Mexican gamebirds to observe in the wild....