Caucasian Grouse vs Ahanta Spurfowl
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi compared with Pternistis ahantensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Caucasian Grouse | Ahanta Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi | Pternistis ahantensis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.6 cm (15.6 in) | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) |
| Weight | 839.25 g (29.60 oz) | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) |
| Diet | Eats buds, young shoots, and seeds of alpine plants; supplements diet with berries and insects … | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. |
| Clutch Size | 2-13 | 3-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Caucasian Grouse
Males produce melodic, slightly gurgling 'woo-woo-woo' bubbling calls on alpine lek; softer than Black Grouse. Alarm is a harsh cackle. Caucasus endemic with less elaborate display than Black Grouse.
Ahanta Spurfowl
Loud, staccato 'krak-krak-KRAAK' from W African forest edge; slightly higher than larger spurfowl. Alarm is rapid explosive cackling. Pairs call in loose synchrony at dawn in secondary growth.
Geographic Range & Migration
Caucasian Grouse
Endemic to alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the Caucasus Mountains, at 1,700 m to treeline; found in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Conservation Status
Caucasian Grouse
Ahanta Spurfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Caucasian Grouse
Male uniform velvety blue-black lacking white wing bar, with downcurved outer tail feathers forming lyre shape; small red wattle. Female finely barred buff-brown; lacks rufous tones of Black Grouse female.
Ahanta Spurfowl
Dark brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; whitish below with dark brown streaking; red bill; red orbital skin; yellow legs. Sexes similar; closely resembles Double-spurred Spurfowl; West African forests.
About These Birds
Caucasian Grouse
A medium-sized Phasianidae grouse (~839 g) endemic to subalpine meadows and shrublands of the Caucasus Mountains. Males are wholly blue-black; females are barred brown. Feeds on alpine plants, berries, and insects. Near Threatened owing to hunting and habitat degradation at elevation.
Ahanta Spurfowl
A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~548 g) of lowland and secondary forest edges in West Africa from Ivory Coast to Nigeria. Dark brown streaked white; red orbital skin. Forages on the ground in pairs or small groups for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Tolerates forest fragments; Least Concern.