Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Pternistis rufopictus
Grey-breasted Spurfowl (Pternistis rufopictus) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl (Pternistis rufopictus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 706 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 rufopictus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 706 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl (Pternistis rufopictus) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw Tanzania.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 706 g, with a wing length of about 20.2 cm and a tail of around 7.7 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 78,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey-breasted Spurfowl?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 706 g.
Where does the Grey-breasted Spurfowl live?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw Tanzania, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Grey-breasted Spurfowl belong to?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl (Pternistis rufopictus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Grey-breasted Spurfowl eat?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Grey-breasted Spurfowl migrate?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey-breasted 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 Grey-breasted Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Grey-breasted 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 Grey-breasted Spurfowl's range?
The Grey-breasted Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 78,000 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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