Photo: Alandmanson / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Shelley’s Francolin
Scleroptila shelleyi
Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Shelley’s Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 488 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Scleroptila
- Species shelleyi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 488 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Shelley’s Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Shelley’s Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Shelley’s Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, se.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 488 g, with a wing length of about 16.5 cm and a tail of around 7.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Shelley’s Francolin?
The Shelley’s Francolin is a large bird that weighs around 488 g.
Where does the Shelley’s Francolin live?
The Shelley’s Francolin is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, se, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Shelley’s Francolin belong to?
The Shelley’s Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Shelley’s Francolin eat?
The Shelley’s Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Shelley’s Francolin migrate?
The Shelley’s Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Shelley’s Francolin endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Shelley’s Francolin make?
1 real field recording of the Shelley’s Francolin — including its duet — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Shelley’s Francolin's range?
The Shelley’s Francolin has a mapped global range of about 1.3 million 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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