Ahanta Spurfowl vs Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Pternistis rufopictus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Grey-breasted Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Pternistis rufopictus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 40.4 cm (15.9 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 702.25 g (24.77 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in Tanzanian savanna and open grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 4-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Ahanta Spurfowl only
Grey-breasted Spurfowl only
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.
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Loud cackling crow; harsh grating 'gaak-gaak' phrases in long series; territorial duets audible at great distance; contact calls soft clucking
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Endemic to Tanzania; resident of open savanna and grassland in the Serengeti ecosystem and Rift Valley highlands.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Grey-breasted 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.
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; underparts grey on breast contrasting with white streaked lower belly; grey breast distinctive; red bill and legs; red orbital skin. Sexes similar; Tanzania …
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.
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
A large Phasianidae spurfowl (~702 g) of dry short grassland, cultivated areas, and open savanna in northern Tanzania. Grey breast contrasting with chestnut-streaked flanks and bare red facial skin. Forms groups near human settlements. Feeds on seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Common in the Serengeti ecosystem; Least Concern.