Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/francesco_veronesi/ / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Scaly Spurfowl
Pternistis squamatus
Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) — Gamebirds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 449 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 squamatus
Where it lives
Southeastern Nigeria to northern, eastern DR Congo, Gabon and Congo Republic, eastern DR Congo to Uganda, southern Kenya, Tanzania, northern Malawi and central Ethiopia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 449 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Scaly Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Scaly Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Nigeria to n, e DR Congo, Gabon and Congo Republic, e DR Congo to Uganda, s Kenya, Tanzania, n Malawi and c Ethiopia.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 449 g, with a wing length of about 17.7 cm and a tail of around 8.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Scaly Spurfowl?
The Scaly Spurfowl is a large bird that weighs around 449 g.
Where does the Scaly Spurfowl live?
The Scaly Spurfowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Nigeria to n, e DR Congo, Gabon and Congo Republic, e DR Congo to Uganda, s Kenya, Tanzania, n Malawi and c Ethiopia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Scaly Spurfowl belong to?
The Scaly Spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Scaly Spurfowl eat?
The Scaly Spurfowl feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Scaly Spurfowl migrate?
The Scaly Spurfowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Scaly 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 Scaly Spurfowl make?
1 real field recording of the Scaly 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 Scaly Spurfowl's range?
The Scaly Spurfowl has a mapped global range of about 2.6 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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