Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Natal Spurfowl
Pternistis natalensis
Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 508 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 natalensis
Where it lives
Southern Zambia and Zimbabwe to western Mozambique and northeastern South Africa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 508 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Natal 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 Natal Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF s Zambia and Zimbabwe to w Mozambique and ne South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 508 g, with a wing length of about 17.1 cm and a tail of around 8.5 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 1.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Natal Spurfowl?
The Natal Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 508 g.
Where does the Natal Spurfowl live?
The Natal Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF s Zambia and Zimbabwe to w Mozambique and ne South Africa, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Natal Spurfowl belong to?
The Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Natal Spurfowl eat?
The Natal Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Natal Spurfowl migrate?
The Natal Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Natal 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 Natal Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Natal 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 Natal Spurfowl's range?
The Natal Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 1.1 million 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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