Peliperdix lathami
Latham's Francolin (*Peliperdix lathami*) is a captivating, medium-sized francolin indigenous to the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa. Measuring approximately 23-25 cm in length and weighing 170-200 grams, its plumage is predominantly rufous-brown, finely barred and mottled with black, providing superb camouflage in its shaded habitat. Distinctive field marks include a bold black crown, a prominent white supercilium, a black stripe extending from the lores through the eye, and a r...
Exclusively found in dense primary and mature secondary rainforests, often near clearings or along forest edges. Typically occupies lowland areas, but can be found up to 1,400 meters in elevation.
Feeds primarily on a variety of invertebrates such as insects (termites, ants, beetles, grubs) and supplemented with fallen seeds, berries, and small fruits. Forages by scratching the forest floor.
Latham's Francolin is a diurnal and notoriously shy ground-dweller, active primarily during the early morning and late afternoon hours, retreating to dense cover for roosting. It forages by meticulously scratching through leaf litter on the forest floor, searching for invertebrates and seeds. Whi...
Latham's Francolin is a resident species, broadly distributed across the rainforest belt of West and Central Africa. Its range extends from Sierra Leone in the west, eastward through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Further east, it occurs in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, G...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name honors John Latham, an 18th-century English ornithologist who first described many bird species. - Despite its loud calls, it is notoriously difficult to spot in its dense forest habitat, earning it the nickname "the ghost of the forest" among some birders. - Unlike many oth...