Photo: Nevit Dilmen (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl
Pternistis hildebrandti
Hildebrandt's Spurfowl (Pternistis hildebrandti) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hildebrandti) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 532 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 hildebrandti
Quick facts
- Weight
- 532 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hildebrandti) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, se.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 532 g, with a wing length of about 17.7 cm and a tail of around 8.3 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 900,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 532 g.
Where does the Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl live?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, se, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl belong to?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl (Pternistis hildebrandti) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl eat?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl migrate?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hildebrandt’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 Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Hildebrandt’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 Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl's range?
The Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 900,000 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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