Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila gutturalis
Dry grasslands. Legs dull yellow. Above dark grey-brown, mottled black with white streaks; head rufous, black and white; throat white; below rufous (paler in west) spotted and dappled red-brown.
Francolins, Quails, Spurfowl
LC
Endemic
Description
Common endemic resident. Regionally variable. The palest morph (a) occurs in central and northern Botswana and, with more deep red spotting on the underparts, also in Namibia. Elsewhere is more rufous about the head and underparts, more liberally spotted deep red as (b) and (c). Distinguished from [Red-winged Francolin] by red spotting of underparts extending up to the white throat and lack of a black-and-white speckled patch on upper breast. Also similar to [Shelley’s Francolin], but lacks blotchy black belly markings. The call is ‘pirrie-perrie, pirrie-perrie, pirrie-perrie…’, very similar to [Shelley’s Francolin], but much faster. Occurs in coveys of about 12 in dry regions with sparse vegetation, flat, dry grassland and open woodland on sandy soils.
Quick Facts
Size
33-35 cm - M
Names
A: Kalaharipatrys
Z: ithebdele
Ss: Kgwale Ya Kgalagadi
G: Rebhuhnfrankolin
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 about 12 in dry regions with sparse vegetation, flat, dry 'grassland' and open woodland on sandy soils.
