Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena
South Africa, November 2006

The Crested Francolin is a widespread and common African species found from southern Sudan, Ethiopia and western Somalia, south through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (excluding western regions) to Mozambique, Angola and NE South Africa. It is typically found in dense bush and dry woodland - these two birds were in thornveld north of Pretoria.

Crested Francolins are recognised by their dark-bordered white superciliary stripe, and are a particularly noisy species often calling throughout the day and even on bright, moonlit nights. Most references mention that they often feed along the edge of dirt-roads - presumably where its easier to see their seed and insect foods - and I saw many small groups doing exactly that along the Zaagkiuldrift gravel road to Kgomo-Kgomo.

 

 

 

 

All photos copyright Charlie Moores