Handsome Spurfowl
Pternistis nobilis
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="pternistis-nobilis"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/pternistis-nobilis/" 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/pternistis-nobilis/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/pternistis-nobilis/)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="pternistis-nobilis"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-large Phasianidae spurfowl (~757 g) of montane forest edges, bamboo zone, and highland grassland in the Albertine Rift, from Uganda to Rwanda and eastern DRC. Named for its rich chestnut and grey-streaked plumage and red orbital ring. Feeds on seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.1 cm | 14.6 in |
| Weight | 756.75 g | 26.69 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Boldly patterned: black and white streaked above; white below with dense black streaking; bold bare red facial skin; red legs. Male more boldly marked than female; aptly named for striking high-contrast plumage.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of Afromontane forest edge, bamboo, and highland grassland in eastern DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and western Kenya, at 1,500–3,500 m.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; eats seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in Albertine Rift montane forest and grassland.
Conservation Status
Sound
Song
Loud, emphatic 'krak-KRAK-krak' calls from E Congo montane forest; larger body gives deeper resonance. Alarm is rapid explosive cackle. Pairs call in antiphonal duet at dawn. Forest-edge specialist.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Species | Pternistis nobilis |
Distribution
Handsome Spurfowl has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Handsome Spurfowl eat?
Where does the Handsome Spurfowl live?
Is the Handsome Spurfowl endangered?
What does the Handsome Spurfowl sound like?
How big is the Handsome Spurfowl?
What order and family does the Handsome Spurfowl belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family