Harwood’s Spurfowl
Pternistis harwoodi
Harwood's Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) — Gamebirds of Africa.
The Harwood’s Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 493 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 Pternistis
- Species harwoodi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 493 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Harwood’s 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 Harwood’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Harwood’s Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane c Ethiopia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 493 g, with a wing length of about 17.5 cm and a tail of around 6.2 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 26,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Harwood’s Spurfowl?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 493 g.
Where does the Harwood’s Spurfowl live?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane c Ethiopia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Harwood’s Spurfowl belong to?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Harwood’s Spurfowl eat?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Harwood’s Spurfowl migrate?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Harwood’s Spurfowl 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 Harwood’s Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Harwood’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 Harwood’s Spurfowl's range?
The Harwood’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 26,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Phasianidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Endangered
More in Game Birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable