Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/francesco_veronesi/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Jackson’s Spurfowl
Pternistis jacksoni
Jackson's Spurfowl (Pternistis jacksoni) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Jackson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis jacksoni) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 1.1 kg. 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 jacksoni
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Jackson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis jacksoni) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c Kenya.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.1 kg, with a wing length of about 21.2 cm and a tail of around 9.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 17,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Jackson’s Spurfowl?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is a very large bird that weighs around 1.1 kg.
Where does the Jackson’s Spurfowl live?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Jackson’s Spurfowl belong to?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl (Pternistis jacksoni) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Jackson’s Spurfowl eat?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Jackson’s Spurfowl migrate?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Jackson’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 Jackson’s Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Jackson’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 Jackson’s Spurfowl's range?
The Jackson’s Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 17,000 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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