Ferruginous Partridge vs Grey-winged Francolin
Caloperdix oculeus compared with Scleroptila afra
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ferruginous Partridge | Grey-winged Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caloperdix oculeus | Scleroptila afra |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) | 31.6 cm (12.4 in) |
| Weight | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) | 405.1666666666667 g (14.29 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … | Omnivorous; eats seeds, roots, invertebrates, and plant matter in South African fynbos and mountain grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 8-10 | 3-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Ferruginous Partridge
Sharp, staccato 'krik-krik-krik' calls from lowland rainforest; often given in duet. Alarm is a loud, rapid chattering rattle; contact notes between pairs soft and clucking.
Grey-winged Francolin
Loud, staccato 'krak-krak-KRAK' calls; S African fynbos and mountain grassland species. Alarm is rapid harsh cackle. Pairs call in unison. Contact calls low clucking.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ferruginous Partridge
Resident in lowland rainforest of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Found in flat or gently sloping lowland forest.
Grey-winged Francolin
Endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa; resident of fynbos and montane scrub in the Western and Eastern Cape.
Conservation Status
Ferruginous Partridge
Grey-winged Francolin
How to Tell Them Apart
Ferruginous Partridge
Rich ferruginous (deep rusty-orange) overall; upperparts black-and-rufous barred; flanks black boldly spotted white; bare red facial skin; underparts rufous-orange; one of the most vividly coloured Southeast Asian partridges.
Grey-winged Francolin
Brown above with buff shaft streaks; pale underparts with dense dark brown streaking; grey primaries distinctive in flight (lacking rufous of related species); white throat; yellow-orange bill; red legs.
About These Birds
Ferruginous Partridge
A small partridge (~210 g) of family Phasianidae, with rich ferruginous (rust-red) plumage and spotted black-and-white markings. Inhabits lowland and foothill rainforests in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Secretive, foraging on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Near Threatened; associated with primary and tall secondary forest, declining with ongoing logging and land conversion.
Grey-winged Francolin
A medium Phasianidae francolin (~405 g) of montane fynbos, highland grassland, and scrub in South Africa and Lesotho. Distinguished by its grey wings visible in flight. Inhabits rocky slopes and grassland; feeds on grass seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Calls with a characteristic rattling phrase. Least Concern.