Bird Guide

Hartlaub's Spurfowl

Pternistis hartlaubi

Least ConcernOmnivoreShrublandCavity nestMedium · 241 g

About the Hartlaub's Spurfowl

Hartlaub's spurfowl or Hartlaub's francolin is a species of bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is endemic to the escarpment zone of Namibia and Angola. The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German physician and ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Hartlaub's Spurfowl is the smallest African spurfowl and is highly sexually dimorphic both in plumage and in size. The male is on averages 28 cm (11 in) in length and weighs 245–290 g (8.6–10.2 oz); the smaller female is around 25 cm (9.8 in) in length and weighs 210–240 g (7.4–8.5 oz). The male has a dark brownish forehead, a prominent white eyestripe and rufous ear coverts. The upperparts are brown-grey with darker bars and streaks. The underparts are pale grey with extensive dark streaks. The upper mandible is brownish and the lower mandible is yellow.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Hartlaub's Spurfowl lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa.

When to see the Hartlaub's Spurfowl

Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Hartlaub's Spurfowl in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.