Grey Francolin
Ortygornis pondicerianus
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="ortygornis-pondicerianus"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/ortygornis-pondicerianus/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/ortygornis-pondicerianus/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/ortygornis-pondicerianus/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="ortygornis-pondicerianus"></birdfyi-bird>On this page
About
A common small Phasianidae francolin (~338 g) of open scrub, semi-arid grassland, and farmland from the Middle East through the Indian subcontinent. Sandy-grey with intricate barring; throat pale orange. Gregarious; utters a characteristic loud call at dawn and dusk. Omnivorous ground forager. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 337.5 g | 11.90 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Pale sandy-grey upperparts finely vermiculated buff and dark brown; buff-white underparts with dark brown streaking; orange-rufous throat with dark border; red bill base. Sexes similar; female paler throat.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of dry grassland, scrub, and farmland across the Indian Subcontinent from Pakistan and India to Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on seeds, grain, invertebrates, and berries in open scrub and farmland of South Asia.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 18-19 days.
Clutch Size
6-10
Sound
Song
Loud, repetitive 'tee-tee-tee-teetar' calls; Indian scrubland species with cackling quality. Pairs call in duet. Alarm is rapid 'kek-kek-kek' cackle. Very vocal at dawn and dusk.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Ortygornis |
| Species | Ortygornis pondicerianus |
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Grey Francolin eat?
Where does the Grey Francolin live?
Is the Grey Francolin endangered?
How does the Grey Francolin nest?
What does the Grey Francolin sound like?
How big is the Grey Francolin?
What order and family does the Grey Francolin belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family