The male is easily distinguished from other francolins by
the plane reddish-brown head contrasting with the barred underparts. The female
can be distinguished from other francolins (Shelley's francolin in particular)
by the white eye stripe and lack of chestnut stripes on breast and flanks.
The Coqui francolin is arguably the smallest francolins in
southern Africa, averaging 260 g and 240 g in weight for male and female
respectively. The only other francolin species that can compete with it in terms
of low weight is Hartlaub's francolin,
which averages 270 g and 230 g for male and female respectively.
Distribution
Widespread in savanna and woodland regions of Africa.
Feeds mainly on above ground food such as seeds, shoots and
small fruits. To a lesser extent feeds on underground corms and bulbs, using
mainly its bill rather than scratching the soil with its legs as in most other
francolins. In the warmer months also feeds in invertebrates. The following food
items have been recorded in its diet:
Egg-laying season is almost year-round, peaking from December-May.
Lays clutch of 3-6 eggs, incubation period unknown, only
the female incubates the eggs. The chick can fly after 7-10 days.
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.
