Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila gutturalis
Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 377 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 gutturalis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 377 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Orange River Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Orange River Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, s.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 377 g, with a wing length of about 16.1 cm and a tail of around 7 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Orange River Francolin?
The Orange River Francolin is a large bird that weighs around 377 g.
Where does the Orange River Francolin live?
The Orange River Francolin is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, s, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Orange River Francolin belong to?
The Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Orange River Francolin eat?
The Orange River Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Orange River Francolin migrate?
The Orange River Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Orange River 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 Orange River Francolin make?
1 real field recording of the Orange River Francolin — 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 Orange River Francolin's range?
The Orange River Francolin has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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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