The Arabian Partridge Alectoris.
m. melanocephala is an endemic to the Arabian peninsula. In Saudi Arabia it
occurs from Madinan in the northern Hejaz mountains south to the Yemen boarder
in the Asir mountains. They are larger than other members of its genus reaching
about 41 centimetres in length with sexes being similar in appearance but males
are slightly larger than females. They occur on stony and well vegetated ground
in hills, mountains and upland plains, from near sea level to 3000 metres, including
montane juniper forest. They feed on vegetable matter, seeds and invertebrates generally
in small groups of up to 10 and when disturbed or escaping predators generally
runs uphill. Gives a distinct loud and deep call most commonly a "cuck,
cuck, cuck, owk-owk-owk" which starts slowly but evenly and increases in
tempo and volume. The best place for seeing the species in Saudi Arabia is the
Abha area where they can be generally see in small numbers in the early morning
often feeding on or by the roadsides.
