Ferruginous Partridge vs Shelley's Francolin
Caloperdix oculeus compared with Scleroptila shelleyi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ferruginous Partridge | Shelley's Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caloperdix oculeus | Scleroptila shelleyi |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.3 cm (11.1 in) | 33.1 cm (13.0 in) |
| Weight | 210.5 g (7.43 oz) | 494.75 g (17.45 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Southeast Asian lowland and hill forests. … | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in montane grassland and woodland of eastern Africa. |
| Clutch Size | 8-10 | 3-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Ferruginous Partridge only
Shelley's Francolin only
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.
Shelley's Francolin
Loud, sharp 'drink-lager' or 'krak-KEEK-krak' calls; E African highland grassland species. Alarm is rapid explosive cackle. Pairs call antiphonally. Heavy streaked flanks visible in flight.
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.
Shelley's Francolin
Resident of open rocky hillsides, miombo woodland, and savanna from eastern DR Congo and Tanzania south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Conservation Status
Ferruginous Partridge
Shelley'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.
Shelley's Francolin
Dark brown above with bold buff shaft streaks; white below with prominent dark brown chevron markings on flanks and belly; white throat; rufous-chestnut primaries in flight; red bill and 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.
Shelley's Francolin
A medium Phasianidae francolin (~495 g) of miombo woodland and grassy savanna across eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. Boldly streaked with chestnut and white. Loud, repetitive dawn calls characterise its presence. Feeds on seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Common in suitable woodland habitat; Least Concern.