Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge
Dendrortyx leucophrys
Scientific Name
Odontophoridae (New World Quails)
Family
Galliformes
Order
D. l. hypospodius
Subspecies. Southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras to north-central Nicaragua
D. l. leucophrys
Subspecies. Costa Rica and western Panama
Range and Habitat of Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge
Geographic Range
Southern Mexico (Chiapas, Oaxaca) through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, western Panama
Migratory Patterns
Non-migratory resident. Minor altitudinal movements in response to food availability.
Preferred Habitat
Primary cloud forests, mature oak forests, forest edges with dense understory, bamboo thickets, ravines with heavy vegetation
Altitude Range
Most common 1,500-2,800 m, occasionally 1,200-3,100 m
Costa Rica Habitat
All major mountain ranges: Cordillera de Guanacaste, Cordillera de Tilarán, Cordillera Central, Cordillera de Talamanca
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Costa Rica holds significant portion of global population
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation. hunting pressure despite legal protection
Conservation efforts
Protected in all major Costa Rican mountain parks; Hunting prohibited by law
Primary Threats
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation. hunting pressure despite legal protection
Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM), Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)
Size
Length: 28-32 cm; Weight: Males 390-460 g; Females 350-420 g
Plumage
Adults: Crown and long crest buff to tawny-orange. Face gray with distinctive white supercilium (eyebrow). Throat white with black border. Upper breast and neck gray. Lower breast and belly chestnut-brown with white streaking. Back and wings olive-brown with intricate vermiculations. Tail brown with fine barring.
Distinctive Features
Long erectile crest (4-6 cm), buffy to rufous, distinctive white throat with black border. Largest wood-partridge in Costa Rica
Sexual Dimorphism
Males slightly larger with longer crest and brighter coloration. Females have shorter crest and duller plumage.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- Seeds and fruits, fallen oak acorns, leaves and shoots of understory plants, beetles, ants, larvae, spiders, earthworms, flowers and buds
Foraging Techniques
- Scratches vigorously through deep leaf litter, and uses powerful feet to clear areas 30-50 cm wide
Feeding Times
- Most active early morning (5:30-8:30) and late afternoon (15:00-17:30)
Behavior Patterns
Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge
Social Structure
Forms coveys of 4-10 individuals, rarely up to 15, family groups stay together throughout year
Song and Vocalization
Loud, rollicking “cor-cor-cor-EE-oh” or “koor-koor-ka-LEEE-oh”
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Male performs strutting display with raised crest, walks around female, showing barred flanks with wing-spreading displays
Territoriality
Coveys maintain territories of 8-15 hectares; boundaries marked by dawn calling from ridges; minimal overlap between adjacent groups
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (lower trails)
- San Gerardo de Dota (forest trails)
- Savegre Mountain Lodge area
- Los Quetzales National Park
- Paraíso Quetzal Lodge trails
- Tapantí National Park (Oropéndola trail)
- Cerro de la Muerte (forested areas)
- Villa Mills surroundings
- Bosque de Paz Lodge
Best Time of the Year
Year-round, but most vocal April-July during breeding season
Common Behavior
Listen for loud calling at dawn from ridges, walk quietly on trails listening for scratching
Recommended Gear
8×42 binoculars for forest viewing
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
April-July, peak May-June (wet season)
Nesting Sites
Shallow scrape lined with dead leaves and grass, hidden under fallen logs, tree roots, or dense vegetation
Clutch Size
4-8 eggs (usually 5-6)
Incubation Period
28-30 days
Parental Care
Female incubates alone; male remains nearby as sentinel. Both parents lead and protect chicks. Young can fly short distances at 10-14 days. Family remains together for months.
Did You Know?
Interesting Behaviors
Coveys roost in trees up to 10 meters high, unusual for terrestrial birds
Cultural Significance
Important game bird historically for indigenous peoples; feathers used in traditional ceremonies by Cabécar and Bribri peoples
Surprising Traits
They can climb near-vertical slopes using wings for balance and recognize each other’s voices within covey
How do I identify this bird?
Look for a large, chicken-sized ground bird with distinctive buff-orange crest, white eyebrow, gray face, and white throat bordered with black. Largest wood-partridge in Costa Rica. Listen for loud rollicking calls at dawn.
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
San Gerardo de Dota valley offers good chances along forest trails early morning. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve lower trails also reliable. Los Quetzales National Park has healthy populations.
Is it endangered?
Listed as Least Concern globally but declining. Faces hunting pressure and habitat loss. Endemic to Central American highlands, making it vulnerable to climate change impacts on cloud forests.