Ahanta Spurfowl vs Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Pternistis camerunensis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Mount Cameroon Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Pternistis camerunensis |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 32.8 cm (12.9 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 551.0 g (19.44 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant material in Cameroonian montane forest and grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
Loud, ringing 'kreek-KRAAK' calls from Mt Cameroon montane forest; raucous and carrying. Cameroon endemic. Alarm is explosive rapid cackle. Poorly studied; calls from forest edge at dawn and dusk.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
Endemic to the subalpine zone of Mount Cameroon, West Africa, above 2,000 m; one of the most restricted spurfowl species.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
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.
Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
Dark brown above with pale buff streaking; white underparts with dense brown streaking; bare red facial skin around eye; yellow-orange legs; dark bill. Sexes similar; highly restricted highland Cameroon endemic.
About These Birds
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.
Mount Cameroon Spurfowl
A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~551 g) endemic to the montane forests and forest edges of Mount Cameroon. Restricted to a single active volcano above 800 m elevation. Brown, streaked plumage; red facial skin. Feeds on seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Endangered from limited range and ongoing agricultural encroachment.