Ortygornis sephaena
The Crested Francolin, *Ortygornis sephaena*, is a striking and often secretive gamebird native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Adults typically measure between 30 and 36 cm (12-14 inches) in length and weigh 280-450 grams (10-16 ounces). Its plumage is predominantly mottled brown and buff, providing excellent camouflage against its dry, scrubby habitats, but its most distinctive features are its prominent black crest and the bold black and white stripes on its face, particularly a conspicuous white s...
This francolin primarily inhabits dry, open woodlands, thorny scrub, riverine thickets, and savanna edges, typically at elevations from sea level up to around 2,000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds from grasses and forbs, insects (such as termites and beetles), small tubers, and berries. They forage primarily by scratching and pecking on the ground.
The Crested Francolin is a largely terrestrial and diurnal bird, often most active during the early morning and late afternoon, spending midday resting in dense cover. It forages by scratching vigorously through leaf litter and soil with its strong feet, gleaning seeds, insects, and other food it...
The Crested Francolin boasts an extensive distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in the southeastern and central parts of the continent. Its breeding range spans from southern Angola eastwards through Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and northern Namibia, extending south...
Least Concern
- The Crested Francolin is far more often heard than seen due to its highly secretive nature and preference for dense undergrowth. - Its distinctive cackling call is one of the quintessential sounds of the African bushveld, giving it local names like 'bushveld chicken'. - Chicks are precocial, me...