Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Cape Spurfowl
Pternistis capensis
Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 630 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 capensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 630 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Cape Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Cape Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, sw South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 630 g, with a wing length of about 20.6 cm and a tail of around 8.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 151,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Cape Spurfowl?
The Cape Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 630 g.
Where does the Cape Spurfowl live?
The Cape Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, sw South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Cape Spurfowl belong to?
The Cape Spurfowl (Pternistis capensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Cape Spurfowl eat?
The Cape Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Cape Spurfowl migrate?
The Cape Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Cape 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 Cape Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Cape 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 Cape Spurfowl's range?
The Cape Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 151,000 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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