Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Hartlaub’s Spurfowl
Pternistis hartlaubi
Hartlaub's Spurfowl (Pternistis hartlaubi) — Gamebirds of Africa.
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hartlaubi) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 241 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 hartlaubi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 241 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hartlaub’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 Hartlaub’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hartlaubi) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF sw Angola and c, n Namibia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 241 g, with a wing length of about 14.5 cm and a tail of around 7.8 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 354,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hartlaub’s Spurfowl?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 241 g.
Where does the Hartlaub’s Spurfowl live?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF sw Angola and c, n Namibia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Hartlaub’s Spurfowl belong to?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hartlaubi) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Hartlaub’s Spurfowl eat?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Hartlaub’s Spurfowl migrate?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hartlaub’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 Hartlaub’s Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Hartlaub’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 Hartlaub’s Spurfowl's range?
The Hartlaub’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 354,000 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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