Ferruginous Partridge vs Finsch's Francolin
Caloperdix oculeus compared with Scleroptila finschi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ferruginous Partridge | Finsch's Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caloperdix oculeus | Scleroptila finschi |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) | 32.5 cm (12.8 in) |
| Weight | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) | 570.0 g (20.11 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … | Feeds on seeds, roots, invertebrates, and plant material in southern African savanna grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 8-10 | 5 |
| 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.
Finsch's Francolin
Harsh, insistent 'kree-kree-KREEK' calls from W African rocky terrain; larger and slightly deeper than related francolins. Alarm is rapid loud cackling. Contact calls soft low clucks between birds.
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.
Finsch's Francolin
Resident of montane grassland and rocky hillsides in Angola (Serra da Chela and related escarpments); highly restricted range.
Conservation Status
Ferruginous Partridge
Finsch's 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.
Finsch's Francolin
Pale greyish-brown above with buff streaking; white underparts with heavy black streaking throughout; white supercilium; white throat; rufous primaries visible in flight; red legs. Larger Scleroptila species.
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.
Finsch's Francolin
A large Phasianidae francolin (~570 g) of arid and semi-arid rocky hillsides in southwestern Africa. Pale grey-brown with bold chestnut-streaked flanks. Pairs or small groups forage for seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Tolerates harsh dry conditions; locally common in Namibia and Angola. Least Concern.