Red-billed Spurfowl
Pternistis adspersus
Dry scrub and thickets. Above light brown finely dappled black; below white with dense black barring; eye-rings yellow; bill and legs red.
Francolins, Quails, Spurfowl
LC
Near Endemic
Description
Common, near-endemic resident. Identified by red bill, yellow skin surrounding the eyes and finely barred underparts; cf. [Natal Spurfowl]. Has a very loud, harsh, crowing call, which increases to a frenzied cackling. Occurs in pairs and groups in Kalahari thornveld. Frequents low scrub and thickets, especially along rivers, but feeds on open ground.
Quick Facts
Size
30-38 cm - M
Names
A: Rooibekfisant
Ss: Kgwale Ya Molomofubedu
G: Rotschnabelfrankolin, Sandhuhn
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 pairs and groups in Kalahari thornveld. Frequents low scrub and thickets, especially along rivers, but feeds on open ground.
