Ammoperdix griseogularis -- (Brandt, 1843) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- GALLIFORMES -- PHASIANIDAE Common names: See-see Partridge; See-see European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA) Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in Europe. The bird is not known from the EU27 region. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Azerbaijan; Turkey Population The European population is estimated at 4,000-6,100 pairs, which equates to 8,000-12,100 mature individuals. The species does not occur in the EU27. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF . Trend In Europe the population size is estimated to be stable. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology The species is found on dry and stony foothills that are lightly vegetated or bare, occasionally on plateaux up to approximately 2,000 m. It is found in warmer, lower areas than Alectoris chukar where they are sympatric (McGowan and Kirwan 2014). It prefers flatter terrain often close to water (Madge and McGowan 2002). It is not found in narrow ravines, around crags or amongst thick tree cover (McGowan and Kirwan 2014). Typically six to nine eggs are laid from mid-April in south-east Turkey (Madge and McGowan 2002). It nests on exposed ground sheltered by grass or rocks. The nest is occasionally in a small hollow and sometimes lined with grass. Birds feed on shoots, leaves, seeds and berries and also take insects. The species is usually sedentary (McGowan and Kirwan 2014). Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) suitable resident Shrubland - Temperate suitable resident Altitude max. 2000 m Occasional altitudinal limits Threats The species is widespread with little human disturbance (Fuller et al. 2000). Studies have found traces of toxic metals in the feathers of this species (Zolfaghari et al. 2007, Norouzi et al. 2012). Also, possibly threatened by development of dams (Biricek and Karakas 2012). Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Natural system Dams (size Timing Scope Severity Impact modifications unknown) Ongoing Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown Stresses Ecosystem conversion; Species mortality Pollution Agricultural & Timing Scope Severity Impact forestry effluents Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Unknown Unknown (type unknown/ unrecorded) Stresses Species mortality; Reduced reproductive success Conservation Conservation Actions Underway Least Concern (Fuller et al. 2000). Mace-Lande: Insufficient information. Hunting is banned in Turkey and recent surveys there revealed the species to be rather more numerous than previously thought. Only recently (2003) discovered in southern Armenia (McGowan and Kirwan 2014). Conservation Actions Proposed The protection of important sites, including legislation to protect them from development should be developed. Research should be undertaken into the species's ecology and habitat needs, and assessments of potential threats made in order to develop appropriate responses. Bibliography Biricik, M., and Karakas, R. 2012. Birds of Hasankeyf (South-Eastern Anatolia, Turkey) Under the Threat of a Big Dam Project. Natural Areas Journal, 32(1): 96-105. Fuller, R.A., Carroll, J.P. and McGowan, P.J.K. (eds.). 2000. Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000 –2004. WPA/BirdLife/SSC Partridge, Quail, and Francolin Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK, and the World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK. vii +63 pp. Madge, S. and McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London. McGowan, P.J.K. and Kirwan, G.M. 2014. See-see Partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds.) 2014. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53384 on 1 October 2014). Norouzi, M., Mansouri, B., Hamidian, A.H., Ebrahimi, T. and Kardoni, F. 2012. Comparison of the metal concentrations in the feathers of three bird species from Southern Iran. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology 89(5): 1082-1086. Zolfaghari, G., Esmaili-Sari, A., Ghasempouri, S.M. and Kiabi, B.H. 2007. Examination of mercury concentration in the feathers of 18 species of birds in southwest Iran. Environmental research 104(2): 258-265. Map (see overleaf) .