Ahanta Spurfowl vs Finsch's Francolin
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Scleroptila finschi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Finsch's Francolin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Scleroptila finschi |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 32.5 cm (12.8 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 570.0 g (20.11 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Feeds on seeds, roots, invertebrates, and plant material in southern African savanna grassland. |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 5 |
| 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.
Finsch's Francolin
Harsh, insistent 'kree-kree-KREEK' calls from W African rocky terrain; larger and slightly deeper than related francolins. Alarm is rapid loud cackling. Contact calls soft low clucks between birds.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Finsch's Francolin
Resident of montane grassland and rocky hillsides in Angola (Serra da Chela and related escarpments); highly restricted range.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Finsch's Francolin
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.
Finsch's Francolin
Pale greyish-brown above with buff streaking; white underparts with heavy black streaking throughout; white supercilium; white throat; rufous primaries visible in flight; red legs. Larger Scleroptila species.
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.
Finsch's Francolin
A large Phasianidae francolin (~570 g) of arid and semi-arid rocky hillsides in southwestern Africa. Pale grey-brown with bold chestnut-streaked flanks. Pairs or small groups forage for seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Tolerates harsh dry conditions; locally common in Namibia and Angola. Least Concern.