Heuglin's Spurfowl
Pternistis icterorhynchus
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About
A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~494 g) of tall grass, woodland, and savanna margins in South Sudan, northern DRC, Uganda, and adjacent countries. Brown-streaked plumage; yellow bill is distinctive. Pairs or groups forage on seeds and invertebrates. Calls loudly at dawn; often near wetlands. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 33.6 cm | 13.2 in |
| Weight | 493.5 g | 17.41 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; white below with dense dark brown streaking; distinctive yellow-orange bill distinguishing it from red-billed spurfowl; yellow legs; red orbital skin. Sexes similar; Central Africa.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of open woodland, savanna, and grassland from southern Sudan and South Sudan east to Ethiopia and west to Senegal.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant material in Sahelian savanna and dry woodland.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC.
Clutch Size
6-8
Sound
Song
Boisterous crowing duet of harsh, staccato notes; 'wak-wak-wak' accelerating into a cackling climax; territorial calls carry far in savanna
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Species | Pternistis icterorhynchus |
Distribution
Heuglin's Spurfowl has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family