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;[[:Category:Francolinus|Francolinus]] africanus | ;[[:Category:Francolinus|Francolinus]] africanus | ||
[[Image:Grey-winged_Francolin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by nkgray<br />Near Amersfoort, Mpumalanga, South Africa.]] | [[Image:Grey-winged_Francolin.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by nkgray<br />Near Amersfoort, Mpumalanga, South Africa.]] | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 30-33 cm, mass 354-539 g, males slightly larger than females. | Length 30-33 cm, mass 354-539 g, males slightly larger than females. | ||
Revision as of 15:23, 9 July 2008
- Francolinus africanus
Identification
Length 30-33 cm, mass 354-539 g, males slightly larger than females.
Similar to other Francolins; range overlaps with Red-winged Francolin, Orange River Francolin, and (marginally) Shelley's Francolin. However, the red on the wings is confined to the outer wings (wings greyer than other species), and the throat is grey and freckled (white or buff in other species). Also differs from Shelley's Francolin in having narrow rather than bold barring on the belly.
Distribution
South Africa and Lesotho.
Taxonomy
Was considered conspecific with Moorland Francolin, but molecular studies indicate that more closely related to Orange River Francolin, Shelley's Francolin and Finsch's Francolin.
Scleroptila vs. Francolinus
Sibley & Monroe (1996) placed this species in the genus Scleroptila, but this genus has not been recognized by Clements (2007) or Howard & Moore (2003), and the Opus follows in this consensus.
Habitat
Upland grassland, Karoo shrubland, and fynbos. Frequents shorter grassland on plateux, ridge tops and shelves rather than steep slopes or valley bottoms; displaced by Red-winged Francolin in tall grassland.
Behaviour
Generally in pairs in breeding season, and in coveys of up to 20 individuals in winter. Food is mainly small bulbs, with invertebrates being more important when rearing chicks.
Usually located by call (in the early morning) or when flushed.
Breeding: Monogamous and territorial. The nest is a scrape in the ground, lined with grass and well concealed under a grass tuft. Four to eight eggs are laid July-December (winter rainfall areas in Western Cape) or August-March (summer rainfall areas).
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
