Xenoperdix

Xenoperdix
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Subfamily:	Perdicinae
Genus:	Xenoperdix; Dinesen, Lehmberg, Svendsen, Hansen & Fjeldså, 1994
Type species
	Udzungwa forest partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis; Dinesen, Lehmberg, Svendsen, Hansen & Fjeldså, 1994

The genus Xenoperdix ("strange partridge"), described only in 1994, consists of two species of African partridges that are most closely related to Southeast Asian hill partridges.

Both species have boldly barred plumage and a red bill. Xenoperdix are found only in forests of the Udzungwa Mountains and the Rubeho Highlands of Tanzania. While the genus was previously believed to be monotypic (only containing Xenoperdix udzungwensis), the Rubeho population was recognized as a distinct species following a review of its molecular and morphological characteristics.[1]

Species

Rubeho forest partridge, Xenoperdix obscuratus
Udzungwa forest partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis

References

Bowie, Rauri C.K.; Fjeldså, Jon (2005). "Genetic and morphological evidence for two species in the Udzungwa forest partridge" (PDF). Journal of East African Natural History. 94 (1): 191–201. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2005)94[191:gameft]2.0.co;2. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2006.

Dinesen, L., Lehmberg, T., Svendsen, J.O., Hansen, L.A., Fjeldså, J. 1994. A new genus and species of perdicine bird (Phasianidae, Perdicini) from Tanzania; a relict form with Indo-Malayan affinities. Ibis 136: 2-11.

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[1] Bowie, Rauri C.K.; Fjeldså, Jon (2005). "Genetic and morphological evidence for two species in the Udzungwa forest partridge" (PDF). Journal of East African Natural History. 94 (1): 191–201. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2005)94[191:gameft]2.0.co;2. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2006.