Heuglin’s Spurfowl

Pternistis icterorhynchus

Heuglin's Spurfowl (Pternistis icterorhynchus) — Gamebirds of Africa.

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl (Pternistis icterorhynchus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 571 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Genus Pternistis
Species icterorhynchus

Where it lives

Southern Chad and southwestern Sudan to northern DR Congo and western Uganda

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 571 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl (Pternistis icterorhynchus) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF s Chad and sw Sudan to n DR Congo and w Uganda.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 571 g, with a wing length of about 16.8 cm and a tail of around 6.9 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 1.4 million km².

Songs & calls

Heuglin’s Spurfowl — Song

Recorded by Peter Boesman Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Heuglin’s Spurfowl?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 571 g.

Where does the Heuglin’s Spurfowl live?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF s Chad and sw Sudan to n DR Congo and w Uganda, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Heuglin’s Spurfowl belong to?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl (Pternistis icterorhynchus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Heuglin’s Spurfowl eat?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Heuglin’s Spurfowl migrate?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Heuglin’s 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 Heuglin’s Spurfowl make?

1 real field recording of the Heuglin’s Spurfowl — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Heuglin’s Spurfowl's range?

The Heuglin’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 1.4 million km².