3-6-2019 LINYANTI CAMP, BOTSWANA - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

The red-billed spurfowl (Pternistis adspersus), also known as the red-billed francolin, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size. Males are larger, measuring 38 cm (15 in) in length and weighing 340–635 g (12.0–22.4 oz), whereas females measure 33 cm (13 in) in length and weigh 340–549 g (12.0–19.4 oz). The species has barred underparts (in contrast to the related Natal spurfowl) and a conspicuous yellow eye-ring.

The red-billed spurfowl was described in 1838 by the English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse from specimens collected by James Edward Alexander on his expedition to Namaqualand and Damaraland. Waterhouse coined the binomial name Francolinus adspersus and noted that the specimens had come near the Fish River in what is now Namibia. The specific epithet adspersus is Latin for "sprinkling". The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. The red-billed spurfowl is considered as monotypic: the proposed subspecies mesicus is not recognised.

27-5-2019 SOMALISA CAMP, ZIMBABWE - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

26-5-2019 SOMALISA, ZIMBABWE - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

The Red-billed Spurfowl is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird native to southern Africa, identifiable by its reddish bill, red legs, and a distinctive yellow eye-ring. It prefers dry, bushy habitats like savannas and scrublands, where it forages for seeds, insects, and small plants. These birds are known for their loud, crowing calls and can be found in countries including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

Identification

Color: Predominantly brown or grayish-brown with fine, intricate barring on the belly, head, and back.

Distinctive features: A red bill, red legs, and a broad, yellow eye-ring that is very prominent. Juveniles have a reduced eye-ring and diffuse barring.

Size: Males are larger, about 38 cm (15 in) long, while females are slightly smaller at around 33 cm (13 in). 

Habitat and diet

Habitat: Found in dry savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands with dense vegetation for cover. They are often seen near rivers and water sources.

Diet: Primarily eats seeds, insects, and small plants. They forage on the ground, often scratching through sandy areas and even animal droppings for seeds. 

Behavior

Call: Makes a harsh, crowing, territorial call, often described as "chak, chak, chak, CHAK, chakitty".

Foraging: Forages for food on the ground, typically in the early morning and late afternoon.

Breeding: The breeding season is year-round and depends on rainfall. Their nest is a simple scrape in the ground, lined with grass. 

Distribution

Native range: Southern Africa.

Countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

Other facts

Scientific name: Pternistis adspersus.

Classification: It is a type of game bird in the family Phasianidae.

Scientific name origin: The species name adspersus comes from Latin and means "sprinkling" or "scattered," possibly referring to the bird's speckled appearance.

Predators: Vulnerable to birds of prey and small mammalian carnivores. 

8-6-2019 KHWAI CAMP, BOTSWANA - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

21-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

The Red-billed Spurfowl, or Pternistis adspersus, presents a striking figure with its barred underparts and a distinctive yellow eye-ring. This bird, also known as the Red-billed Francolin, is a member of the Phasianidae family. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the males are notably larger, reaching lengths of 38 cm and weights between 340-635 grams, while the females are slightly smaller at 33 cm in length and weighing 340-549 grams.

When observing the Red-billed Spurfowl, look for the characteristic barred pattern on the underparts, which sets it apart from similar species such as the Natal Spurfowl. The yellow eye-ring is a conspicuous feature to aid identification. Males are larger than females, which can be a helpful distinction in the field.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is native to Southern Africa, where it frequents a variety of habitats.

This species is widely distributed across Southern Africa, with its range encompassing Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is known for its terrestrial habits, often seen foraging on the ground.

The Natal Spurfowl is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by the lack of barred underparts which are present in the Red-billed Spurfowl.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Red-billed Spurfowl as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.

22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

The Red-billed Spurfowl, or Pternistis adspersus, presents a striking figure with its barred underparts and a distinctive yellow eye-ring. This bird, also known as the Red-billed Francolin, is a member of the Phasianidae family. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the males are notably larger, reaching lengths of 38 cm and weights between 340-635 grams, while the females are slightly smaller at 33 cm in length and weighing 340-549 grams.

When observing the Red-billed Spurfowl, look for the characteristic barred pattern on the underparts, which sets it apart from similar species such as the Natal Spurfowl. The yellow eye-ring is a conspicuous feature to aid identification. Males are larger than females, which can be a helpful distinction in the field.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is native to Southern Africa, where it frequents a variety of habitats.

This species is widely distributed across Southern Africa, with its range encompassing Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is known for its terrestrial habits, often seen foraging on the ground.

The Natal Spurfowl is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by the lack of barred underparts which are present in the Red-billed Spurfowl.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Red-billed Spurfowl as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.

22-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - RED BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)

The Red-billed Spurfowl, or Pternistis adspersus, presents a striking figure with its barred underparts and a distinctive yellow eye-ring. This bird, also known as the Red-billed Francolin, is a member of the Phasianidae family. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the males are notably larger, reaching lengths of 38 cm and weights between 340-635 grams, while the females are slightly smaller at 33 cm in length and weighing 340-549 grams.

When observing the Red-billed Spurfowl, look for the characteristic barred pattern on the underparts, which sets it apart from similar species such as the Natal Spurfowl. The yellow eye-ring is a conspicuous feature to aid identification. Males are larger than females, which can be a helpful distinction in the field.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is native to Southern Africa, where it frequents a variety of habitats.

This species is widely distributed across Southern Africa, with its range encompassing Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Red-billed Spurfowl is known for its terrestrial habits, often seen foraging on the ground.

The Natal Spurfowl is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by the lack of barred underparts which are present in the Red-billed Spurfowl.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Red-billed Spurfowl as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.