Barbary Partridge vs Grey Francolin
Alectoris barbara compared with Ortygornis pondicerianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barbary Partridge | Grey Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris barbara | Ortygornis pondicerianus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | — |
| Weight | 418.5 g (14.76 oz) | 337.5 g (11.90 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. | Feeds on seeds, grain, invertebrates, and berries in open scrub and farmland of South Asia. |
| Clutch Size | 6-27 | 6-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Barbary Partridge
Loud, nasal 'kee-kee-kee-KARRR' calls from N African rocky terrain; slightly lower than Red-legged Partridge. Alarm is rapid cackling cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn on rocky hillsides and scrub.
Grey Francolin
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barbary Partridge
Resident of rocky hillsides, scrub, and coastal areas in North Africa (Morocco to Libya), Canary Islands, Sardinia, Gibraltar, and Madeira.
Grey Francolin
Resident of dry grassland, scrub, and farmland across the Indian Subcontinent from Pakistan and India to Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Conservation Status
Barbary Partridge
Grey Francolin
How to Tell Them Apart
Barbary Partridge
Blue-grey upperparts; chestnut-spotted white flank bars; grey crown; rufous-brown collar with white spots; reddish-orange bill and legs; white face. Closely resembles Red-legged Partridge but collar spotted.
Grey Francolin
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.
About These Birds
Barbary Partridge
A medium Phasianidae partridge (~419 g) of rocky hillsides, scrub, and open slopes across North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Gibraltar. Grey-brown with a spotted chestnut-necklace pattern. Lives in pairs or small coveys; feeds on seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Least Concern; introduced as a gamebird in several regions.
Grey Francolin
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.