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Green-legged Partridge

Tropicoperdix chloropus

This tenacious ground-dweller from Southeast Asia's dense forests combines olive-brown plumage with its signature bright green legs.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Green-legged Partridge is a medium-sized ground bird with distinctive brown and buff plumage. Its upperparts are rich brown, while the underparts are buff with black scalloping, creating a scaly appearance. The head features a rufous crown and white throat.

Both sexes look similar, with no significant seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles resemble adults but have less defined scalloping on their underparts and duller overall colouration.

Size

Length

28cm to 30cm

Wingspan

40cm to 45cm

Weight

250g to 350g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Green

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Green-legged Partridge can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Green-legged Partridge can be found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Green-legged Partridge is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Green-legged Partridges inhabit tropical and subtropical evergreen forests, preferring areas with dense undergrowth. They are found in Southeast Asia, including parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China.

These birds are year-round residents in their range, showing no significant seasonal movements.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,400 meters

Climate zones

Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Green-legged Partridge. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Cambodia China Laos Myanmar Thailand Vietnam

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Quite agile on the ground, with strong running capabilities and quick reflexes to escape predators. While not particularly skilled in flight, their ability to navigate dense undergrowth and swiftly manoeuvre through forest floor vegetation demonstrates considerable agility.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Moderate strength for their size, evidenced by their ability to scratch and dig through leaf litter for food. Their robust legs enable effective foraging and quick running, though they're not amongst the strongest birds in their size class.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Shows good adaptability to various forest conditions up to 1,400m elevation and can thrive in both tropical and subtropical environments. Their varied diet of seeds, invertebrates, and occasional small vertebrates demonstrates dietary flexibility.

Aggressiveness 45

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally peaceful birds that live in coveys, showing limited aggression except during breeding season when pairs become territorial. Their preference for fleeing rather than confronting threats suggests moderate to low aggression levels.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Demonstrates good endurance through sustained foraging activities and ground-based lifestyle. Their ability to maintain active searching behaviour throughout the day, particularly during morning and evening hours, indicates solid stamina, though they're not exceptional endurance performers.

Diet

The Green-legged Partridge primarily feeds on seeds, berries, and small invertebrates found on the forest floor.

They use their strong feet and bills to scratch and dig in leaf litter, uncovering hidden food items. Occasionally, they may consume small reptiles or amphibians.

Behaviour

Green-legged Partridges are typically found in small coveys of 5-10 individuals, foraging on the forest floor.

They are secretive birds, often running rather than flying when disturbed. During the breeding season, pairs become territorial and separate from the covey.

Vocalisation

The Green-legged Partridge has a distinctive call, often described as a loud, repeated 'ko-wah' or 'ko-whee-oh'. This call is frequently heard at dawn and dusk, especially during the breeding season.

When alarmed, they may emit a sharp, staccato 'kuk-kuk-kuk' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Green-legged Partridges typically occurs from March to August. Males perform courtship displays, including wing-flapping and calling, to attract females.

Nests are simple scrapes on the ground, often hidden under dense vegetation or at the base of trees. Females lay 4-8 cream-coloured eggs per clutch.

Incubation lasts about 18-20 days, primarily carried out by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching, and are cared for by both parents until they fledge at around 2-3 weeks old.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Green-legged Partridge is currently listed as Least Concern, habitat loss due to deforestation in its range is a growing threat. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and maintaining suitable forest habitats in Southeast Asia.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Not quantified

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for these birds in the early morning or late afternoon when they are most active.
  • Listen for their distinctive call, which can help locate them in dense vegetation.
  • Search for signs of scratching on the forest floor, indicating recent foraging activity.
  • Use binoculars to spot their green legs, a key identifying feature.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Scaly-breasted Partridge, Green-legged hill-partridge

Family:

Phasianidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Predators

Main predators include various birds of prey, small carnivores like civets and martens, and large snakes native to Southeast Asian forests.

Did You Know?

  1. The Green-legged Partridge's scientific name, 'chloropus', means 'green foot' in Greek.
  2. These birds have strong legs adapted for scratching and running, rarely flying except when seriously threatened.
  3. They play a role in seed dispersal within their forest habitats.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2021. Tropicoperdix chloropus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22731882A198955126.

    View source

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