Crested Francolin
Dendroperdix sephaena
Bushveld. Rufous brown above with black-and-white facial marks; well-spotted light brown breast; red legs.
Francolins, Quails, Spurfowl
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Uncommon to fairly common summer resident, a few all year. Male darker than [Common Quail]; told by bold black markings on white throat and chestnut underparts. Female distinguished from female of [Common Quail] by dark ‘necklace’ across throat extending to ear coverts. The call is a loud ‘wit, wit-wit, wit, wit-wit-it’, similar in sound to [Common Quail] but more metallic. Pairs and small coveys occur in rank grass, especially in damp regions within grassland and bushveld. Most frequent in Zimbabwe and northern Botswana. Nomadic, sometimes irrupting in great numbers locally, then suddenly disappearing again.
Quick Facts
Size
32 cm - M
Names
A: Bospatrys
Z: isiKhwehlesiqhova
Ss: Lesogo
G: Schopffrankolin
Bird Family
Terrestrial birds of mostly gregarious habits (quails excepted). Their crowing or cackling calls are useful identification features. Immatures resemble adults but are usually duller. Quails are nomadic and irruptive, whereas francolins are more sedentary.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs and small coveys occur in rank grass, especially in damp regions within 'grassland' and bushveld.
