Orange River Francolin

Scleroptila gutturalis

Medium-sized, beautifully-patterned francolin. Shows rufous patches in the wings in flight. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, including pure grassland and open savanna. Shy and retiring. Loud call is a quickly repeated “chuk-a-cheiw”. Similar to several other francolin species, which also show rufous in the wing. Lacks the belly barring of Shelley’s Francolin, has a black necklace unlike Red-winged Francolin, and found at lower elevations than the mountain-dwelling Moorland Francolin.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Scleroptila gutturalis
Authority
(Rüppell, 1835)
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Scleroptila

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Sharp-tailed Ibis

Sharp-tailed Ibis

Cercibis oxycerca

A medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.

Rufous-sided Scrub-Tyrant

Rufous-sided Scrub-Tyrant

Euscarthmus rufomarginatus

Tiny flycatcher with a long tail. Note the white throat contrasting with the brown back, yellowish belly, and cinnamon flanks. Occurs in open, well-preserved natural grasslands with scattered bushes. Has a distinct song, a series of repetitious fast buzzy notes: “tic, tic, tic, tiker-trrrrrk.”

Long-billed Honeyeater

Long-billed Honeyeater

Melilestes megarhynchus

A medium-sized honeyeater of forest interior from the lowlands to the mid-mountains. Long bill out of proportion with the rest of the body. Brown upperparts, grayish underparts and head with a red eye. Skulking and sometimes only seen flying across the road. Similar to Meyer’s Friarbird and Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, but Long-billed has a longer, thinner bill, a red rather than dark eye and lacks Tawny-breasted’s facial stripe. Call, a nasal, raspy, downslurred “reeeeuuuuww!” note.

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