Photo: Vigors, 1829 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Game Birds

Black Partridge

Melanoperdix niger

Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger) — Gamebirds of South & Southeast Asia.

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Birds of Indonesia Birds of Malaysia

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Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Indonesia Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Malaysia

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The Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 280 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Genus Melanoperdix
Species niger

Where it lives

Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo

South & Southeast Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 280 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Black Partridge is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Black Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 280 g, with a wing length of about 13.4 cm and a tail of around 5.7 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.1 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black Partridge?

The Black Partridge is a large bird that weighs around 280 g.

Where does the Black Partridge live?

The Black Partridge is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Black Partridge belong to?

The Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Black Partridge eat?

The Black Partridge is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Black Partridge migrate?

The Black Partridge is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Black Partridge endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

How large is the Black Partridge's range?

The Black Partridge has a mapped global range of about 1.1 million km².