Scleroptila levaillantii
The Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii) is a medium-sized and robust gamebird, typically measuring 33-38 cm (13-15 in) in length with a weight ranging from 400-600 grams (0.9-1.3 lbs). Its most striking and diagnostic field mark, lending it its common name, is the rich rufous-chestnut primary and secondary coverts, vividly displayed both in flight and when the wings are folded. The body plumage exhibits a superb camouflage, with heavily streaked brown and black upperparts contrast...
This francolin primarily inhabits montane and high-altitude grasslands, open grassy hillsides, and fynbos, typically found at elevations ranging from 1,200 to over 3,000 meters (3,900-9,800 ft).
Their diet primarily consists of seeds, roots, bulbs, and corms, supplemented with various insects such as termites, ants, beetles, and grasshoppers, foraged by scratching and digging on the ground.
Red-winged Francolins are generally shy and secretive, most active during the early morning and late afternoon, often retreating to dense cover during the hottest parts of the day. They forage by scratching and pecking at the ground for seeds and insects, often moving in a characteristic crouched...
The Red-winged Francolin has a somewhat fragmented yet extensive range across southern and eastern Africa, primarily residing in high-altitude grasslands. Its distribution extends from central Angola eastward through southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Malawi, south to central Moza...
Least Concern
- The Red-winged Francolin is often heard but rarely seen, its distinctive calls echoing across the highveld long before one might catch a glimpse. - Its scientific name, *Scleroptila levaillantii*, honors the French explorer and ornithologist François Levaillant, who described many African bird ...