Ahanta Spurfowl vs Greater Prairie-chicken
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Tympanuchus cupido
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Greater Prairie-chicken |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Tympanuchus cupido |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 41.0 cm (16.1 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 872.25 g (30.77 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Eats grass seeds, buds, berries, acorns, and invertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie. Insects critical … |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 5-17 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Ahanta Spurfowl only
None
Greater Prairie-chicken 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.
Greater Prairie-chicken
Males boom 'ooo-OOO-ooo' from inflated orange air sacs on lek; haunting, foghorn-like resonance audible 2+ km. Alarm is a sharp cackle; females give soft clucking calls to chicks.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Greater Prairie-chicken
Resident in tallgrass prairies of the north-central United States and southern Canada. Found in native prairie. Vulnerable and declining.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Greater Prairie-chicken
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.
Greater Prairie-chicken
Strongly barred brown and buff throughout; rounded dark tail; males have elongated dark pinnae feathers on neck; orange eye-comb; orange neck sacs inflated during display; females lack pinnae.
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.
Greater Prairie-chicken
A medium-sized grouse (~870 g) of family Phasianidae, with barred brown plumage and elongated pinnate feathers raised during lek displays. Males inflate orange air sacs and boom loudly at communal leks. Inhabits native tallgrass prairies of central North America. Feeds on grain, seeds, and insects. Near Threatened; dramatic population collapse due to tallgrass prairie conversion and fragmentation.