Chestnut-bellied Partridge Arborophila javanica Scientific name definitions

c. 28 cm; 257–286 g. One of most distinctive Arborophila, quite dissimilar to any of congeners. Crown and nape orange-rufous, streaked and mottled dark grey and brown in centre, with blackish lores and band through eye, on neck-sides and throat, central throat rusty orange, rufous-orange cheeks, bluish-grey breast, rufous-chestnut lower breast and flanks , whitish central belly and rusty-buff undertail-coverts with black bases to feathers; upperparts bluish grey closely barred black, with browner wing feathers, albeit with chestnut outer webs and black central marks; bill black, irides grey, bare skin around eye and throat red, and legs also red. Female as male, though probably averages smaller and duller, perhaps with duller bare parts. Juvenile has white throat, dark brown breast and some white spots on scapulars, with reddish-brown bill. Races vary essentially in head pattern: bartelsi is much less black than other races, with throat and breast almost unmarked rufous; lawuana has rufous throat, with more extensive blackish on nape and neck-sides than previous race.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Forest between 300 m and 3000 m, though recent records are all from altitude between 600 m and 2500 m, and the species is known from just one mountain lower than 1700 m (Mt Sanggabuana) (1 Nijman, V. (2003). Distribution, habitat use and conservation of the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hill-partridge (Arborophila javanica) in fragmented forests of Java, Indonesia. Emu. 103(2): 133–140 Close ). Never recorded in extensive Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), damar or kauri (Agathis dammara) or mahogany (Swietenia sp.) plantations that often fringe areas of natural forest (1 Nijman, V. (2003). Distribution, habitat use and conservation of the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hill-partridge (Arborophila javanica) in fragmented forests of Java, Indonesia. Emu. 103(2): 133–140 Close ).

No information available, but diet and foraging behaviour presumably much like those of Arborophila. Recorded in coveys of up to six individuals (2 Nijman, V. and Sözer, R. (1997). New information on the distribution of Chestnut-bellied Partridge Arborophila javanica in the central parts of Java. Bird Conservation International. 7(1): 27–33. Close , 1 Nijman, V. (2003). Distribution, habitat use and conservation of the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hill-partridge (Arborophila javanica) in fragmented forests of Java, Indonesia. Emu. 103(2): 133–140 Close ).

Song typically in duet, one bird emitting a fast series of loud piping whistles, gradually increasing in volume and slightly in pitch, “phew-phew-phew-phew-phew...” at a rate of c. 4–5 notes/second, while other member of pair gives lower-pitched mellow burry whistles, typically double-noted, at a much slower rate, “whu-huw..whu-huw..whu-huw…”. Also an irregular series of short modulated notes “kwiuh..kwiuh..kwiuh…” in alarm, and soft, mellow, plaintive contact notes. Vocal for much of the year (2 Nijman, V. and Sözer, R. (1997). New information on the distribution of Chestnut-bellied Partridge Arborophila javanica in the central parts of Java. Bird Conservation International. 7(1): 27–33. Close ). Reacts to territorial call of A. orientalis and vocalizations of latter described as practically identical to those of this species (3 Mittermeier, J. C., C. H. Oliveros, T. Haryoko, M. Irham, and R. G. Moyle, (2014). An avifaunal survey of three Javan volcanoes—Gn Salak, Gn Slamet and the Ijen highlands. BirdingASIA 22:91–100. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Mace Lande: vulnerable. Little direct information; species considered threatened due to habitat loss, and forest clearance has probably led to extinction from lower elevations. Restricted range; occurs in Javanese and Balinese Mountains Endemic Bird Area. Species occurs in several protected areas of various categories, some of which are very small. Still common on Gunung Gede Pangrango and on Gunung Halimun. Prior to 1989, just two reports in recent decades, but presence has since been confirmed in most hill and montane forests of all but easternmost Java, E to Mt Arjuno, being recorded at 30 sites during intermittent fieldwork between 1994 and 2002 (2 Nijman, V. and Sözer, R. (1997). New information on the distribution of Chestnut-bellied Partridge Arborophila javanica in the central parts of Java. Bird Conservation International. 7(1): 27–33. Close , 1 Nijman, V. (2003). Distribution, habitat use and conservation of the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hill-partridge (Arborophila javanica) in fragmented forests of Java, Indonesia. Emu. 103(2): 133–140 Close ). Main problems are loss, degradation and resultant fragmentation of habitat due to a combination of illegal, small-scale logging, encroachment and extension of bordering plantations (tea Camillia sinensis, coffee Coffea sp., rubber, Sumatran pine); some trapping for bird trade poses additional threat, although the species’ meat is not particularly prized, meaning that hunting is unlikely to be a significant threat (1 Nijman, V. (2003). Distribution, habitat use and conservation of the endemic Chestnut-bellied Hill-partridge (Arborophila javanica) in fragmented forests of Java, Indonesia. Emu. 103(2): 133–140 Close ). Not protected by Indonesian law. Approximately 250 individuals are present in captivity.