Bar-backed Partridge

The bar-backed partridge is a rounded forest partridge about 27–29 cm long. Its brown back is crossed by narrow dark bars, while the face shows bold black-and-white patterning and the breast is warm brown to chestnut. Sexes are broadly similar, although females are usually duller. The combination of barred upperparts, patterned head and relatively plain belly separates it from the green-legged and other Arborophila partridges where their ranges approach (Handbook of the Birds of the World, general species account).

Resident across mainland Southeast Asia and southern China, it occupies evergreen and mixed forest, bamboo and secondary growth. Pairs and small coveys keep to dense cover, walking and scratching through leaf litter for seeds, fallen fruit and invertebrates. They are more often heard giving accelerating or repeated whistles than seen, and flush in a sudden low burst when closely approached. Nests are concealed ground scrapes; general accounts report clutches usually of four or five eggs (Handbook of the Birds of the World, general species account).