The only francolin in southern Africa with yellow around
the eye. This, as well as the combination of red bill, red legs, absence of
white or red on the throat make identification of this species easy.
Plumage of male and female is similar but the male can be
distinguished by his long, sharp leg spurs.
Distribution and habitat
Occurs in dry savannas of northern Namibia, south-western Angola,
Botswana, western Zimbabwe and western North West Province.
No records but would be vulnerable to birds-of-prey and
small mammalian carnivores. Blood and nematode parasites have been found in
other francolin species.
Food
Mainly eats plant matter, doing most of its foraging by
exploring sandy clearings, often scratching through droppings in search of
undigested seeds. The following food items have been recorded in its diet:
Nest a scrape in ground with no lining or sparsely
lined, situated among grass or bushes.
The breeding season is year round, dependent on
rainfall.
After laying 3-10 eggs, the female incubates them for
about 22 days before they hatch.
Young leave the nest soon after hatching.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Roberts
- Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker
Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.
Sinclair, I, Hockey, P. and Tarboton, W. 2002. Sasol
Birds of Southern Africa. 3rd edition. Struik, Cape Town.
