Ahanta Spurfowl vs Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Pternistis leucoscepus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Yellow-necked Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Pternistis leucoscepus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 39.8 cm (15.7 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 631.5 g (22.28 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Feeds on seeds, berries, invertebrates, and small animals in East African savanna and bushland. |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 3-8 |
| 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.
Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Extremely loud, far-carrying crow; raucous 'kwaak-kwaak' series; pairs duet loudly at dusk; alarm a sharp, rapid 'kik-kik-kik' clatter
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Resident of open savanna, dry woodland, and thornbush from South Sudan and Ethiopia south through East Africa to northern Tanzania.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Yellow-necked 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.
Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; white below with dark brown streaking; conspicuous bare yellow throat and neck skin diagnostic; red facial skin; red legs; dark bill. Sexes similar; …
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.
Yellow-necked Spurfowl
A large Phasianidae spurfowl (~632 g) of dry woodland, thornbush, and bushed grassland in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Conspicuous bare yellow throat patch is diagnostic. Forms large noisy groups at dusk. Feeds on seeds, roots, fruits, and invertebrates. Common in arid East Africa; Least Concern.