Perdix hodgsoniae
The Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) is a striking, high-altitude gamebird, measuring about 28-31 cm (11-12 in) in length with a weight typically ranging from 250-400 grams (8.8-14.1 oz). Its most distinctive field marks include a bold black-and-white facial pattern, featuring a black band extending from the eye to the ear-coverts and a white supercilium, contrasting sharply with a rufous crown. The breast is predominantly grey, often with a narrow black band, while the flanks are conspi...
Found primarily in high-altitude alpine meadows, rocky slopes, scree fields, and sparse scrubland above the treeline, typically between 3,000 and 5,500 meters (9,800-18,000 ft) elevation.
Their diet consists mainly of plant matter, including seeds, leaves, shoots, berries, and roots, supplemented by small insects and larvae, particularly during the breeding season.
Tibetan Partridges are diurnal, spending their days foraging in small coveys, particularly during winter, though pairs are more common during the breeding season. They are primarily ground feeders, scratching and pecking for food among rocks and vegetation. These birds are known for their strong ...
The Tibetan Partridge is endemic to the high-altitude regions of Central Asia, with its primary breeding and resident range extending across the Tibetan Plateau and the surrounding mountain ranges. This includes areas of China (Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan), Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India (...
Least Concern
- The Tibetan Partridge is one of the highest-dwelling gamebirds in the world, regularly found at elevations over 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). - They possess physiological adaptations, such as a higher red blood cell count, to cope with the low oxygen levels at extreme altitudes. - During winter, th...