Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Moorland Francolin
Scleroptila psilolaema
Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) — Gamebirds of Africa.
The Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 478 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Scleroptila
- Species psilolaema
Quick facts
- Weight
- 478 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Moorland Francolin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Moorland Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, s Ethiopia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 478 g, with a wing length of about 16.7 cm and a tail of around 7.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 47,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Moorland Francolin?
The Moorland Francolin is a large bird that weighs around 478 g.
Where does the Moorland Francolin live?
The Moorland Francolin is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, s Ethiopia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Moorland Francolin belong to?
The Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Moorland Francolin eat?
The Moorland Francolin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Moorland Francolin migrate?
The Moorland Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Moorland Francolin endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Moorland Francolin make?
1 real field recording of the Moorland Francolin — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Moorland Francolin's range?
The Moorland Francolin has a mapped global range of about 47,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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