Chinese Bamboo Partridges

Bambusicola thoracicus

Chinese Bamboo Partridges
Photo courtesy of Daniel Sörensen

These birds are native to southern China and Taiwan and have been introduced to Japan. While they are found in bamboo forests, they prefer dense brushy country in low hills. They can be found in pairs or in groups of up to 20 birds. Sometimes seen feeding with domestic fowl. They are intermediate in size between Coturnix and Perdix species.

The incubation period is 18 days. They have been bred successfully in captivity.

They are capable of sustained flight, weaving skillfully through the vegetation.