After several years of visiting the parks and mountains of Shenzhen, people always assume that they have already seen everything that is around. However, something new will always pop up, something that will totally blow your mind. That’s the beauty of Shenzhen and that’s precisely what happened to me when I found the fascinating Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus) at Bijia Mountain, a park located in the heart of the city close to the residential area of Futian District.

The Chinese bamboo partridge is a medium-sized bird of the pheasant family that grows up to 32 cm, with an absolutely astonishing coloration pattern. The bird has a brown crown, and a silver patch crosses the eye from the beak to the back of the head. Below the silver patch, the bird’s face is covered with a beautiful reddish set of feathers that go down to the chest except for a silvery patch on top of the chest. On the ventral portion of the body, the feathers are of a cream coloration with dark red spots on them.

Their wings are light brown with reddish tips and white spots and the tail has a reddish coloration. In short, a total marvel to observe.

The bamboo partridge spends most of its time on the ground foraging for seeds, roots, leaves and even small invertebrate animals. They seldom use their ability to fly unless they find it necessary. They lay up to seven eggs per clutch in nests they build on the base of a tree over dead leaves or bushes; the female alone takes care of the incubation process.

This bird is an absolute beauty to see; it also delights us with its characteristic loud sound.

2022.04.02

A Chinese bamboo partridge is seen at Bijia Mountain in Futian District.