Crested Partridge vs Grey-winged Francolin
Rollulus rouloul compared with Scleroptila afra
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Crested Partridge | Grey-winged Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rollulus rouloul | Scleroptila afra |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.2 cm (10.7 in) | 31.6 cm (12.4 in) |
| Weight | 250.5 g (8.84 oz) | 405.1666666666667 g (14.29 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of Southeast Asian lowland rainforests for seeds, fallen fruits, and invertebrates. Scratches … | Omnivorous; eats seeds, roots, invertebrates, and plant matter in South African fynbos and mountain grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 4-6 | 3-10 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Crested Partridge
High-pitched, thin whistled 'seee' repeated persistently; metallic and insect-like. Males call from forest floor, rarely seen. Alarm is an explosive low grunt followed by rapid wing beats.
Grey-winged Francolin
Loud, staccato 'krak-krak-KRAK' calls; S African fynbos and mountain grassland species. Alarm is rapid harsh cackle. Pairs call in unison. Contact calls low clucking.
Geographic Range & Migration
Crested Partridge
Resident in lowland and foothill rainforest of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Found below 1,500 m.
Grey-winged Francolin
Endemic to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa; resident of fynbos and montane scrub in the Western and Eastern Cape.
Conservation Status
Crested Partridge
Grey-winged Francolin
How to Tell Them Apart
Crested Partridge
Male is dark glossy green-black with vivid red-crimson erectile crest; red orbital skin; chestnut wings. Female is entirely bright emerald green with brown wings, red legs, and grey head; among …
Grey-winged Francolin
Brown above with buff shaft streaks; pale underparts with dense dark brown streaking; grey primaries distinctive in flight (lacking rufous of related species); white throat; yellow-orange bill; red legs.
About These Birds
Crested Partridge
A small partridge (~250 g) of family Phasianidae, males with vivid crimson crest and iridescent green plumage. Found in lowland tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Forages on the forest floor for fallen seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Vulnerable; dependent on primary lowland forest, heavily impacted by deforestation and palm oil expansion.
Grey-winged Francolin
A medium Phasianidae francolin (~405 g) of montane fynbos, highland grassland, and scrub in South Africa and Lesotho. Distinguished by its grey wings visible in flight. Inhabits rocky slopes and grassland; feeds on grass seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Calls with a characteristic rattling phrase. Least Concern.