**Crimson-headed partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps)**

A striking partridge endemic to the lower montane forests of northern Borneo.

Context

Multiple pairs were observed and photographed around Kinabalu Park, near the summit of Gunung Alab and its bird hides, as well as at Mr Song’s bird hide on Mt Trusmadi, Sabah, Borneo.

Field notes

This partridge species is unmistakable with its black plumage and bright red coloration. Males are particularly colorful, with a bright red breast and head, a bright yellow bill, and yellow skin around the eyes. Females are slightly duller, but both sexes display a bright red tail tuft.

The species is usually quite silent and can be difficult to locate in forests. I had to wait five years after seeing my first individual in Kinabalu Park’s forests before finally obtaining a good photograph of this species at the bird hide located near the summit of Gunung Alab.

Males can produce surprisingly loud calls in the morning, as I experienced during my first visit to Gunung Alab’s bird hide. I also noticed that, once accustomed to feeding near the hide, both sexes became remarkably tame and confiding, even entering the hide to search for food between my feet.

Key facts

The crimson-headed partridge is the sole member of the genus Haematortyx. It is endemic to Borneo and occurs in the montane forests of the northern half of the island, generally at elevations between 1,000 and 1,700 meters above sea level, although it has been recorded as low as 150 m asl and as high as 3,050 m asl.

The species can often be seen scratching through the forest’s leaf litter, turning over leaves in search of fallen berries and invertebrates. It also occasionally feeds on small terrestrial crustaceans.

At present, the species remains understudied, and very little is known about its nesting and breeding behavior.

Conservation

The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It was previously assessed as Near Threatened because of habitat loss caused by deforestation.

This species has a patchy and restricted distribution because of its habitat preferences. It has been recorded at at least 15 localities within its range, most of them in Sabah (Malaysia) and one in Kalimantan (Indonesia).

So far, populations in protected areas appear to be stable, and the species can be locally common in places such as Mt Trusmadi and Mt Kinabalu. However, no comprehensive assessment of its population trends has yet been conducted.