Double-spurred Francolin

Photo by Steve G
Makasutu, The Gambia

Francolinus bicalcaratus

Identification

• Large and plump
• Appears brown at a distance
• White supercilium

Distribution

Africa:
Northern Africa: occurs only in Morocco
Western Africa: Mauritania, Senegambia, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic
African Islands: Gulf of Guinea Islands

Taxonomy

Pternistis vs. Francolinus

Sibley & Monroe (1996) placed this species in the genus Pternistis, but this genus has not been recognized by Clements (2007) or Howard & Moore (2003), and the Opus follows in this consensus.

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies^[1]:

• F. b. ayesha:

• Western Morocco (Rabat to Essaouira)

• F. b. bicalcaratus:

• Senegambia to Central African Republic

Four additional subspecies are not recognised by most authorities, these are adamauae, ogilviegranti, molunduensis and thornei^[1].

Habitat

Favours rough grassland bordering forests, cultivations & scrubby bush.

Behaviour

These birds live in pairs or small coveys preferring to run rather than fly when threatened.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Avibase

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Double-spurred Francolin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Double-spurred_Francolin

External Links

Search for photos of Double-spurred Francolin in the gallery