Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala
is a common resident of the south-west highlands, especially steep wooded
hillsides of the western escarpment of Jebal Souda, the Raydah Protected Area,
Tanoumah and the Al Baha area. They prefer juniper dominated habitats where
rocky knolls & clearings occur. It
has also been recorded at terraced fields on the Souda Plateau and feeds mainly
on plant material, seeds and insects. They are also common in the Tihama region
at Jebal Aswad and Jebal Gaha and can be found from 250 – 2800 metres
elevation. In 1987 it was a widespread and not uncommon species and there seems
to have been little change in its status since then. They are much larger than
other Alectoris species with the sexes being similar, although females are
slightly smaller. They have a black crown extending down the nape; a broad
white band begins in front of the eye and extends to the back of the head. The
chin and upper throat are also white and are separated from the white above the
eye by a narrow black band that starts at the bill, extends to the cheek and
forms a "V" on the neck. The sides of the neck are pastel brown and
the rest of the plumage is bluish grey with pronounced barring on the sides.
