Ptilopachus is an African genus of birds in the New World quail family.

Taxonomy

The genus Ptilopachus was introduced in 1837 by the English naturalist William John Swainson to accommodate a single species, the stone partridge, which is therefore the type species. The genus name is from Ancient Greek ptilon meaning "feather" with pakhus meaning "thick" or "dense". As traditionally defined, only the stone partridge was included in this genus, but based on genetic evidence, it now also includes Nahan's partridge (formerly considered a francolin). The study also concludes that this genus is more closely related to the New World quails (Odontophoridae) and might be considered their only African representative.

Description

At about 25 cm in length, both are relatively small, terrestrial birds with a red eye-ring, base of the bill, and legs, and brownish upperparts.