Swainson's spurfowl, also known as Swainson's francolin, is a bird that belongs to the family Phasianidae. It is a native species to the southern regions of Africa. The bird is named in honor of William Swainson, a notable English ornithologist.
A large brown francolin with some darker streaks, dark blackish legs, and a distinctive bare red face and throat. It frequents grasslands and savannas where it is bold and conspicuous, standing on open branches and termite mounds to call its loud screeching “kreeeeet-kreeeeet-kreeeet” call at dawn and dusk. Red-necked Francolin differs by having red legs and feet, by often having white plumage on the underparts or face (depending on the race), and by preferring thickets and forest to open habitats.
The Swainson's spurfowl is found in a variety of habitats, ranging from grasslands to woodlands. These environments provide the necessary cover and food sources for the species.
This bird has a wide range across southern Africa, with sightings confirmed in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Information on the breeding habits of Swainson's spurfowl includes observations of hatchlings and juveniles in locations such as Kruger National Park and Zambia, indicating active reproduction in these areas.
As with many birds in the Phasianidae family, Swainson's spurfowl have a diet that includes a variety of seeds, insects, and possibly other small invertebrates.
The IUCN Red List has classified Swainson's spurfowl as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, the species does not face any immediate threat of extinction.
