Grey-winged Francolin
Scleroptila africana
Grassy hills. Black bill; yellow legs. Upperparts tawny barred black and streaked white; head markings rufous; throat white well spotted black; below grey.
Francolins, Quails, Spurfowl
LC
Endemic
Description
Common endemic resident. Predominantly grey, the throat well spotted with black, and the underparts closely barred black, thus differing from all white-throated species. Immature has more white about the throat and the barring of the underparts extends to the lower neck. The normal call is a squeaky ‘kwe-kwe-kwe-kwe-skwekeeoo-skwekeeoo-skwekeeoo-keeoo-keeoo’. If flushed, groups rise steeply into the air with much noise. Occurs in coveys of five to 10 on grassy hillsides, montane grassland and coastal flats.
Quick Facts
Size
31-33 cm - M
Names
A: Bergpatrys
Z: ithendelelimlotha
Ss: Kgwale Ya Thaba
G: Grauflügelfrankolin
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
Occurs in coveys of five to 10 on grassy hillsides, montane 'grassland' and coastal flats.
