Barbary Partridge vs Red-necked Spurfowl
Alectoris barbara compared with Pternistis afer
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barbary Partridge | Red-necked Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris barbara | Pternistis afer |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Weight | 418.5 g (14.76 oz) | 574.1666666666666 g (20.25 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. | Omnivorous; eats seeds, berries, invertebrates, and small animals in African savanna and scrubby woodland. |
| Clutch Size | 6-27 | 3-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Barbary Partridge only
Red-necked Spurfowl only
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.
Red-necked Spurfowl
Loud, harsh crowing duet; raucous 'krrreek-krrreek' repeated vigorously; common call at dawn in dense bush; alarm a rapid staccato clucking
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.
Red-necked Spurfowl
Resident of open woodland, forest edge, and moist savanna from Ethiopia and Somalia south through East Africa to South Africa.
Conservation Status
Barbary Partridge
Red-necked Spurfowl
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.
Red-necked Spurfowl
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; white below with dense dark brown streaking; bare bright red facial skin extending prominently down neck diagnostic; red legs; dark bill. Sexes similar; …
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.
Red-necked Spurfowl
A medium-large Phasianidae spurfowl (~574 g) of woodland, riverine scrub, and cultivated edges across eastern and southern Africa. Bright red bill, throat, and facial skin are unmistakable. Pairs or small groups forage on seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Calls loud and raucous at dawn; Least Concern.