About the Cape Spurfowl
The Cape spurfowl or Cape francolin is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is endemic to southern Africa, where it is the largest francolin. It occurs in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and locally northwards to southern Namibia. It has adapted to alien vegetation and a variety of human-altered habitats, but scrubby roosting and nesting space is a prerequisite. The species is not threatened.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Cape spurfowl is 40–42 cm (16–17 in) in length. The male, at 600–915 g (1.323–2.017 lb), averages larger than the female, at 435–659 g (0.959–1.453 lb). This large spurfowl appears all dark from a distance, apart from the red legs, but when seen closer the plumage is finely vermiculated in grey and white, with a plainer crown and nape. The sexes are similar in plumage, but the male has two leg spurs, whereas the female has at best one short spur. The juvenile is similar to the adults, but has duller legs and clearer vermiculations.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in September · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Red-necked SpurfowlPternistis aferThe red-necked spurfowl is 25–38 cm (9.8–15.0 in) in length, with significant size differences between the subspecies.
Red-billed SpurfowlPternistis adspersusThe red-billed spurfowl, also known as the red-billed francolin, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
Erckel's SpurfowlPternistis erckeliiThe largest African spurfowl, Erckel's spurfowl is 38–43 cm (15–17 in) in length, with females being slightly smaller than males.
Learn the Cape Spurfowl for real
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