Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Grey-winged Francolin
Scleroptila afra
Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra) — 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-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 390 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 Scleroptila
- Species afra
Quick facts
- Weight
- 390 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey-winged Francolin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Grey-winged Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Lesotho and South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 390 g, with a wing length of about 15.8 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 438,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey-winged Francolin?
The Grey-winged Francolin is a large bird that weighs around 390 g.
Where does the Grey-winged Francolin live?
The Grey-winged Francolin is found across Africa with a range covering AF Lesotho and South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Grey-winged Francolin belong to?
The Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Grey-winged Francolin eat?
The Grey-winged Francolin feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Grey-winged Francolin migrate?
The Grey-winged Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey-winged Francolin 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-winged Francolin make?
1 real field recording of the Grey-winged Francolin — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Grey-winged Francolin's range?
The Grey-winged Francolin has a mapped global range of about 438,000 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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