Sand partridge

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Sand partridge
Ammoperdix heyi 4.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Ammoperdix
Species:
A. heyi
Binomial name
Ammoperdix heyi
(Temminck, 1825)
Illustration depicting the plumage of a male sand partridge. Ammoperdix heyi male 1838.jpg
Illustration depicting the plumage of a male sand partridge.

The sand partridge (Ammoperdix heyi) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.

Contents

This partridge has its main native range from Egypt and Israel east to south Arabia. It is closely related and similar to its counterpart in southeast Turkey and east to Pakistan, the see-see partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis.

This 22–25 cm bird is a resident breeder in dry, open and often hilly country. It nests in a scantily lined ground scrape laying 5–14 eggs. The sand partridge takes a wide variety of seeds and some insect food.

Description [2]

The sand partridge is a rotund bird, mainly sandy-brown with wavy white and brown flank stripes. It ranges from 22–25 cm in height, and 180-200 g in weight. Its wingspan ranges from 39–41 cm. They can live for up to 4 years. [3]

When disturbed, sand partridge prefers to run rather than fly, but if necessary it flies a short distance on rounded wings. The song is a slurred kwa-kwa-kwa

Sexual dimorphism [2]

Males are larger than the females and have orange bills, rather than dull yellowish bills. The male has a grey head with a white stripe in front of the eye and a white cheek patch. The neck sides are plain, and not speckled with white. The head pattern is the best distinction from the see-see partridge. Females are a very washed-out version of males. They are sandier and greyer than males with fewer markings and have pinkish bars instead of white spots on the side of the neck. Females are more difficult to distinguish from its relative due to the weak head pattern. Male and female juveniles resemble adult females.

Taxonomy

The sand partridge is one of 185 species in the ground-living family Phasianidae, the most-species rich clade in the Galliformes order. [4] The Phasianidae family has a subfamily Phasianinae, which was considered monophyletic up until the 1990s until molecular phylogenies showed that its placement is indeed paraphyletic. The Phasianinae subfamily has two acknowledged clades: the erectile clade and the non-erectile clade (an erectile trait is a feathery or fleshy region on the head that some birds possess. It mainly evolved as a sexual signal. [5] The sand partridge is part of the non-erectile clade, as they do not possess an erectile trait. These two clades are believed to have diverged during the early Oligocene, around 30 million years ago. [6]

Illustration depicting the plumage of a female sand partridge. Ammoperdix heyi female 1838.jpg
Illustration depicting the plumage of a female sand partridge.

Habitat and distribution

Female sand partridge. Ammoperdix heyi 02.jpg
Female sand partridge.

Distribution

Sand partridges are endemic across the Middle East. [7] Populations are distributed across Eastern Egypt, Eastern Sudan, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). [7] The four subspecies of the sand partridge are native to specific parts of the Middle East. The Ammoperdix heyi heyi is distributed from the Jordan Valley to the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula to Saudi Arabia. [2] The Ammopredix heyi nicolli is distributed across Northern Egypt. [2] The Ammoperdix heyo cholmleyi is distributed from Egypt to Northern Sudan. [2] The Ammoperdix heyi intermedius is distributed from Western Saudi Arabia to Yemen east into Oman and to the Musandam Peninsula in the UAE. [2]

Habitat

Sand partridges can be found in desert ecosystems with scattered vegetation and boulders. [2] [8] They prefer steep, boulder-strewn slopes with sandy-bottomed wadis and ridges up to 2000 m and valleys down to 400 m below sea level. [2] Sand partridges are rarely found in large stretches of dry, flat, or open desert as they require a water source for drinking. [2] The sand partridge is non-migratory, so it breeds and spends its year in these habitats. [2]

Behaviour and ecology

Vocalizations [2]

Known vocalizations only for male sand partridges. Male's signalling call is a "kew-kew-kew" or "watcha-watcha-watcha". When alarmed or flushed, they emit a louder, higher "quip" or "qu-ip", or a harsh "wuit-wuit-wuit".

Diet

Sand partridges are omnivorous birds. They feed on a mixed diet of plant matter and insects. [2] [8] During the summer, the sand partridge forages mostly for seeds and berries. [2] Seeds come mostly from Acacia spp. and grasses. [2] [8] Berries come mostly from the toothbrush tree/mustard tree ( Salvadora persica ) and myrrhs (Commiphora spp.). [2] Insects are mostly locusts. [2] In Arabia specifically, sand partridges eat leaves and buds of desert thorn ( Lycium shawii ), Rhazya stricta and Sideroxylon mascatense. [2] Habitats with woody vegetation height of 2–3 m between rocks are ideal foraging grounds for the sand partridge, as it provides food and also sufficient shelter from predator attacks. [8]

Reproduction

Breeding seasons are dependent on location. In Israel, sand partridges breed between February and August. [2] In Jordan and Sinai, Egypt, eggs are laid between March and April, whereas are only laid in April in the Northern Africa region. [2] Within the Arabian Peninsula, eggs are laid mainly in March and April, but have been seen in Oman and Yemen as late as between August and November. [2] [9] Sand partridges are probably monogamous birds, but nests have been seen merely 30–70 m apart in Israel, indicating one male mating with multiple females (see polygyny). [2] Nests are built in three different fashions. One way is the sand partridge will sparsely line the nest with grass, feathers, bits of wood, or pebbles. [2] The second way is the sand partridge will build the nest under the cover of bush or rock and leave the nest unlined. [2] The third way is building the nest in hollows or crevices at the base of cliffs. [2] Females lay between 5–14 eggs that are pale grey or pink. [2] Two females may lay in the same nest. [2] Incubation is by females only for around 21–24 days. [2] Chicks are white with grey upper breast and pale throat. [2] Chicks become fledges at 9–20 days, and then are full grown at 30 days. [2] Sand partridges can be found in groups of dozens of members, but families may come together to form large flocks of up to 70 members in later summer/early autumn. [2]

Status and conservation

The sand partridge is listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN. [3] The sand partridge has a large range and is deemed common and stable in the regions it resides. [2] [3] The sand partridge has been introduced to two islands offshore of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. [2] The estimated entire population of sand partridge pairs in Arabia is ~900,000 and is increasing. [2] Sand partridges live in areas that are mainly inhabitable to humans, thus have minimal threats. [2] Throughout Arabia, stock grazing, urbanization, drought, and climate change in general, all affect sand partridges but are not true threats. [2] Additionally, sand partridges are hunted for sport and food, locally and nationally. [3] Over the entire range of the sand partridges habitats, there are conservation sites present. [3] A non-profit in Jordan known as the Jordan Outdoor Sport Association was established in 2014 to encourage sustainable hunting in the area. [10] Releasing sand partridges to supplement hunted birds is part of their conservation work. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partridge</span> Common name for a type of bird

A partridge is a medium-sized galliform bird in any of several genera, with a wide native distribution throughout parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Several species have been introduced to the Americas. They are sometimes grouped in the Perdicinae subfamily of the Phasianidae. However, molecular research suggests that partridges are not a distinct taxon within the family Phasianidae, but that some species are closer to the pheasants, while others are closer to the junglefowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galliformes</span> Order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds

Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkeys, chickens, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often reared by humans for their meat and eggs, or hunted as game birds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common pheasant</span> Species of bird

The common pheasant is a bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae). The genus name comes from Latin phasianus, "pheasant". The species name colchicus is Latin for "of Colchis", a country on the Black Sea where pheasants became known to Europeans. Although Phasianus was previously thought to be closely related to the genus Gallus, the genus of junglefowl and domesticated chickens, recent studies show that they are in different subfamilies, having diverged over 20 million years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phasianidae</span> Family of birds

The Phasianidae are a family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular gamebirds. The family includes 185 species divided into 54 genera. It was formerly broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae and the Perdicinae. However, this treatment is now known to be paraphyletic and polyphyletic, respectively, and more recent evidence supports breaking it up into two subfamilies: Rollulinae and Phasianinae, with the latter containing multiple tribes within two clades. The New World quail (Odontophoridae) and guineafowl (Numididae) were formerly sometimes included in this family, but are now typically placed in families of their own; conversely, grouse and turkeys, formerly often treated as distinct families, are now known to be deeply nested within Phasianidae, so they are now included in the present family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New World quail</span> Family of birds

The New World quail are small birds, that despite their similar appearance and habits to the Old World quail, belong to a different family known as the Odontophoridae. In contrast, the Old World quail are in the Phasianidae family. The geographical range of the New World quail extends from Canada to southern Brazil, and two species, the California quail and the bobwhite quail, have been successfully introduced to New Zealand. The stone partridge and Nahan's partridge, both found in Africa, seem to belong to the family. Species are found across a variety of habitats from tropical rainforest to deserts, although few species are capable of surviving at very low temperatures. There are 34 species divided into 10 genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Double-spurred spurfowl</span> Species of bird

The double-spurred spurfowl is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. Like most spurfowls, it is restricted to Africa. It is a resident breeder in tropical west Africa, but there is a small and declining isolated population in Morocco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">See-see partridge</span> Species of bird

The see-see partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds.

<i>Ammoperdix</i> Genus of birds

Ammoperdix is a small genus in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested partridge</span> Species of bird

The crested partridge also known as the crested wood partridge, roul-roul, red-crowned wood partridge, green wood quail or green wood partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is the only member of the genus Rollulus.

<i>Alectoris</i> Genus of birds

Alectoris is a genus of partridges in the family Phasianidae, closely related to Old World quail, snowcocks (Tetraogallus), partridge-francolins (Pternistis), bush quail (Perdicula), and sand and see-see partridges (Ammoperdix). Members of the genus are known collectively as rock partridges. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek: αλέκτωρ, romanized: alektoris, meaning "chicken" or "farmyard fowl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snow partridge</span> Species of bird

The snow partridge is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae found widely distributed across the high-altitude Himalayan regions of Pakistan, China, India and Nepal. It is the only species within its genus, and is thought to be the most basal member of the "erectile clade" of the subfamily Phasianinae. The species is found in alpine pastures and open hillside above the treeline but not in as bare rocky terrain as the Himalayan snowcock and is not as wary as that species. Males and females look similar in plumage but males have a spur on their tarsus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arabian partridge</span> Species of bird

The Arabian partridge is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae, native to the southern Arabian Peninsula. Two subspecies are recognised, A. m. melanocephala and A. m. guichardi. It sometimes hybridises with Philby's partridge and with the rock partridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue quail</span> Species of bird

The blue quail or African blue quail is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae found in sub-Saharan Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harwood's spurfowl</span> Species of bird

Harwood's spurfowl, also known as Harwood's Francolin, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is a grey-brown bird with red bill and tail, and red bare skin around the eyes. Both sexes have similar coloring, although the female is paler in color with a more extensive buff belly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hildebrandt's spurfowl</span> Species of bird

Hildebrandt's spurfowl is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. The species is named for Johann Maria Hildebrandt, who collected the first specimens in Kenya. The sexes differ markedly in their plumage and females are smaller than males.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested francolin</span> Species of bird

The crested francolin is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in southern Africa. One of its subspecies, Ortygornis sephaena rovuma, is sometimes considered a separate species, Kirk's francolin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crimson-headed partridge</span> Species of bird

The crimson-headed partridge is a species of bird in the pheasant, partridge, and francolin family Phasianidae. Described by the British ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1879, it is the only species in the genus Haematortyx. It is endemic to Borneo, where it inhabits lower montane forest in the northern and central parts of the island. It is mainly found at elevations of 1,000–1,700 m (3,300–5,600 ft), but can be seen as low as 185 m (607 ft) and as high as 3,050 m (10,010 ft). Adult males have a striking appearance, with a dark blackish body and crimson red heads, necks, breasts, and undertail coverts. Females have a similar pattern, but with duller brownish-black colouration, orangish-red heads and breasts, and a brownish-black bill instead of a yellowish one. Juveniles are duller and have the crimson restricted to the top of the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buff-throated monal-partridge</span> Species of bird

Buff-throated monal-partridge, also known as buff-throated partridge or Szechenyi's monal-partridge, is a member of the family Phasianidae in the order Galliformes. It is endemic to western China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phasianinae</span> Subfamily of birds

The Phasianinae are a subfamily of the pheasant family (Phasianidae) of landfowl, the order Galliformes. The subfamily includes true pheasants, tragopans, grouse, turkey and similar birds. Although this subfamily was considered monophyletic and separated from the partridges, francolins, and Old World quails (Perdicinae) till the early 1990s, molecular phylogenies have shown that this placement is paraphyletic. For example, some partridges (genus Perdix) are more closely affiliated to pheasants, whereas Old World quails and partridges from the genus Alectoris are closer to junglefowls. There are two clades in the Phasianinae: the erectile clade and the non-erectile clade, referring to erectile tissue in the non-feathered parts of the face. Both clades are believed to have diverged during the early Oligocene, about 30 million years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perdicinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Perdicinae is a polyphyletic former subfamily of birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae, regrouping the partridges, Old World quails, and francolins. Although this subfamily was considered monophyletic and separated from the pheasants, tragopans, junglefowls, and peafowls (Phasianinae) till the early 1990s, molecular phylogenies have shown that these two subfamilies actually constitute only one lineage. For example, some partridges are more closely affiliated to pheasants, whereas Old World quails and partridges from the Alectoris genus are closer to junglefowls. Due to this, the subfamily Perdicinae is no longer recognized by the International Ornithological Congress, with the species being split among 3 subfamilies.

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2016). "Ammoperdix heyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22678657A92783316. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678657A92783316.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 McGowan, Philip J. K.; Kirwan, Guy M. (2020). "Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix heyi), version 1.0". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.sanpar1.01. ISSN   2771-3105. S2CID   242577678.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 IUCN (2016-10-01). Ammoperdix heyi: BirdLife International: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22678657A92783316 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi: 10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-3.rlts.t22678657a92783316.en .
  4. ↑ Chen, De; Hosner, Peter A.; Dittmann, Donna L.; O’Neill, John P.; Birks, Sharon M.; Braun, Edward L.; Kimball, Rebecca T. (2021). "Divergence time estimation of Galliformes based on the best gene shopping scheme of ultraconserved elements". BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21 (1): 209. doi: 10.1186/s12862-021-01935-1 . ISSN   2730-7182. PMC   8609756 . PMID   34809586.
  5. ↑ Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L. (2008). "A Multigene Phylogeny of Galliformes Supports a Single Origin of Erectile Ability in Non-Feathered Facial Traits". Journal of Avian Biology. 39 (4): 438–445. doi:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2008.04270.x. ISSN   0908-8857. JSTOR   30244464.
  6. ↑ "Galliformes". bird-phylogeny (in German). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  7. 1 2 "Sand Partridge – eBird". ebird.org. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Wronski, Torsten (2009). "Habitat preference and diurnal activity pattern in the Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi heyi: (Aves: Phasianidae)". Zoology in the Middle East. 48 (1): 35–42. doi:10.1080/09397140.2009.10638364. ISSN   0939-7140. S2CID   84491722.
  9. ↑ Wronski, Torsten (2012). "The seasonality of group size and group composition of sand partridge (Ammoperdix heyi heyi Temminck, 1825) in the Ibex Reserve, Saudi Arabia". Turkish Journal of Zoology. 36 (2): 223–229. doi: 10.3906/zoo-1008-5 . ISSN   1300-0179. S2CID   60145922.
  10. 1 2 Eid, Ehab; Handal, Ramzi (2018). "Illegal hunting in Jordan: using social media to assess impacts on wildlife". Oryx. 52 (4): 730–735. doi: 10.1017/S0030605316001629 . ISSN   0030-6053. S2CID   90139636.
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