Ahanta Spurfowl vs Annamite Crested Argus
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Rheinardia ocellata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Annamite Crested Argus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Rheinardia ocellata |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 67.1 cm (26.4 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 1500.0 g (52.91 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Forages on leaf litter for fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; uses feet to … |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 2 |
| 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.
Annamite Crested Argus
Loud, mournful 'kow-WEE' whistling cries from Vietnam rainforest floor; haunting and fox-like. Males call from log or elevated perch. Alarm is explosive cackle. One of world's rarest galliform voices.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Annamite Crested Argus
Resident of dense montane forest in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, above 400 m; extremely secretive.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Annamite Crested Argus
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.
Annamite Crested Argus
Brown and buff intricately patterned with ocelli; long broad graduated tail with dark ocellated spots; white-streaked dark crest; bare blue facial skin. Sexes similar but male with much longer tail.
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.
Annamite Crested Argus
One of the most spectacular Phasianidae birds (~1.5 kg), endemic to evergreen forests of Vietnam and Laos. Males possess extraordinary elongated brown-spotted tail feathers. Performs a solitary lekking display on cleared forest arenas. Feeds on fallen fruits and invertebrates. Critically Endangered from deforestation.