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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.
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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
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
Ahanta SpurfowlPternistis ahantensisThe Ahanta francolin or Ahanta spurfowl is a species of bird in the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
Clapperton's SpurfowlPternistis clappertoniClapperton's spurfowl is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae.
Jackson's SpurfowlPternistis jacksoniJackson's spurfowl has distinctive red bill and legs which sets it apart from the moorland francolin which overlaps in range and the smaller scaly spurfowl is unmarked on the underside.
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