Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pternistis swainsonii
Swainson's Spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Swainson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 597 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 swainsonii
Where it lives
Southeastern Angola, northern Namibia and Zambia to eastern Botswana, northern South Africa, Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique
Quick facts
- Weight
- 597 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Swainson’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 Swainson’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Swainson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Angola, n Namibia and Zambia to e Botswana, n South Africa, Zimbabwe and s Mozambique.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 597 g, with a wing length of about 18.7 cm and a tail of around 7.4 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Swainson’s Spurfowl?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 597 g.
Where does the Swainson’s Spurfowl live?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Angola, n Namibia and Zambia to e Botswana, n South Africa, Zimbabwe and s Mozambique, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Swainson’s Spurfowl belong to?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis swainsonii) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Swainson’s Spurfowl eat?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Swainson’s Spurfowl migrate?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Swainson’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 Swainson’s Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Swainson’s 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 Swainson’s Spurfowl's range?
The Swainson’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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.
Explore more birds
More in Phasianidae
Extinct
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
More in Game Birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern