Photo: Mickey Samuni-Blank / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Handsome Spurfowl
Pternistis nobilis
Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis) — Gamebirds of Africa.
The Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 878 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 Pternistis
- Species nobilis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 878 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Handsome Spurfowl is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Handsome Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo, sw Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 878 g, with a wing length of about 18.6 cm and a tail of around 7.5 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 17,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Handsome Spurfowl?
The Handsome Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 878 g.
Where does the Handsome Spurfowl live?
The Handsome Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo, sw Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Handsome Spurfowl belong to?
The Handsome Spurfowl (Pternistis nobilis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Handsome Spurfowl eat?
The Handsome Spurfowl is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Handsome Spurfowl migrate?
The Handsome Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Handsome Spurfowl 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 Handsome Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Handsome Spurfowl — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Handsome Spurfowl's range?
The Handsome Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 17,000 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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