Double-spurred Francolin - BirdForum Opus

Photo by Steve G
Makasutu, The Gambia

Pternistis 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

Formerly placed in genus Francolinus.

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies^[1]:

• P. b. ayesha:

• Western Morocco (Rabat to Essaouira)

• P. 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, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. Avibase

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Double-spurred Francolin. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Double-spurred_Francolin

External Links

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