Cape Spurfowl
Pternistis capensis
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="pternistis-capensis"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/pternistis-capensis/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/pternistis-capensis/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/pternistis-capensis/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="pternistis-capensis"></birdfyi-bird>À propos
A large Phasianidae spurfowl (~652 g) endemic to the Western Cape and southwestern South Africa. Intricately mottled brown-and-white; red bill and legs. Favours fynbos, renosterveld, and agricultural land. Feeds on seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates; often raids vineyards. Locally common and adaptable; Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 41,2 cm | 16.2 in |
| Poids | 652,25 g | 23.01 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Densely vermiculated dark brown and white overall creating scaled appearance; orange-red bill and legs; red orbital skin; no bare neck. Sexes alike; unique vermiculated pattern unmistakable in South African scrub.
Habitat & Range
Répartition géographique
Endemic to South Africa and Namibia; resident of fynbos, scrub, and bush in the Western and Eastern Cape and Namaqualand.
Diet & Feeding
Eats seeds, berries, roots, invertebrates, and small animals in South African fynbos and scrub.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 22-25 days.
Taille de la couvée
6-8
Son
Chant
Very loud, raucous 'krak-krak-KRAAK-KRAAK' calls; S African fynbos species audible from great distance. Alarm is explosive cackling rattle. Common at Cape; calls at dawn and dusk year-round.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Famille | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Espèces | Pternistis capensis |
Distribution
Cape Spurfowl has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Foire aux questions
What does the Cape Spurfowl eat?
Where does the Cape Spurfowl live?
Is the Cape Spurfowl endangered?
How does the Cape Spurfowl nest?
What does the Cape Spurfowl sound like?
How big is the Cape Spurfowl?
What order and family does the Cape Spurfowl belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family