Whyte’s Francolin

Scleroptila whytei

Whyte's Francolin (Scleroptila whytei) — Gamebirds of Africa.

The Whyte’s Francolin (Scleroptila whytei) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 488 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Genus Scleroptila
Species whytei

Where it lives

Southeastern DR Congo, Zambia and northern Malawi

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 488 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Whyte’s Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of open woodland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Whyte’s Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Whyte’s Francolin (Scleroptila whytei) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se DR Congo, Zambia and n Malawi.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 488 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 6.7 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 42,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Whyte’s Francolin?

The Whyte’s Francolin is a large bird that weighs around 488 g.

Where does the Whyte’s Francolin live?

The Whyte’s Francolin is found across Africa with a range covering AF se DR Congo, Zambia and n Malawi, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Whyte’s Francolin belong to?

The Whyte’s Francolin (Scleroptila whytei) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Whyte’s Francolin eat?

The Whyte’s Francolin is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Whyte’s Francolin migrate?

The Whyte’s Francolin is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Whyte’s 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.

How large is the Whyte’s Francolin's range?

The Whyte’s Francolin has a mapped global range of about 42,000 km².