Campocolinus schlegelii
Schlegel's Francolin (Campocolinus schlegelii) is a medium-sized gamebird, typically measuring 28-33 cm in length. Males are distinguished by a bold black-and-white facial pattern, featuring a prominent white supercilium and a dark malar stripe, which contrasts with their buffy-rufous underparts heavily barred with black. Their upperparts are a cryptic grey-brown, finely vermiculated to blend with their surroundings. Females are generally duller, exhibiting a less pronounced facial pattern an...
This francolin primarily inhabits open woodlands, savannas, and shrublands, favoring areas with dense grass cover for foraging and concealment. It is typically found at low to moderate elevations across its range.
Their diet primarily consists of insects such as termites, ants, and beetles, supplemented by seeds, fresh grass shoots, and occasional small fruits. They forage by gleaning from the ground and vigorously scratching through leaf litter.
Schlegel's Francolin is primarily diurnal, active during the cooler parts of the day, particularly early mornings and late afternoons, roosting communally or individually in dense vegetation or low trees at night. It forages terrestrially, meticulously gleaning insects, seeds, and fallen fruits f...
Schlegel's Francolin is endemic to Western and Central Africa, maintaining a relatively restricted but stable distribution across its preferred habitats. The nominate subspecies, *C. s. schlegelii*, is found from central Cameroon eastward through the Central African Republic, northern Democratic ...
Least Concern
- Schlegel's Francolin is named after the prominent German ornithologist and herpetologist, Hermann Schlegel. - The genus name, *Campocolinus*, translates roughly to "field francolin," accurately describing its preferred savanna and grassland habitat. - Despite its stout build, this francolin is ...