Jackson's Spurfowl
Pternistis jacksoni
Large, chunky brown francolin with a red bill, red legs, and bare red skin around the eye. Found in montane forest, forest edge, moorland, and grassland. Often in pairs or small groups that are often quite approachable. The common vocalization is a series of loud, rough “skraa” notes. Similar to Scaly Francolin, but larger and richer brown, with red bare skin around the eye.
Taxonomy
Jackson's francolin was described in 1891 by the Scottish ornithologist William Robert Ogilvie-Grant from specimens collected by Frederick John Jackson in Kikuyu, Kenya. Ogilvie-Grant honoured Jackson and coined the binomial name Francolinus jacksoni. The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. Jackson's spurfowl is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.
- Scientific name
- Pternistis jacksoni
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1891)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Pternistis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Aerodramus francicus
Small gray swift with a slightly paler rump and belly. Flight is fast but erratic, with the wings pushed forward. Nests in caves, but can be seen in flight over all habitats on the islands of Mauritius and Reunion. The calls include high-pitched twitters and echolocation clicks. Usually easy to identify, as it is the only resident swift on the Mascarenes. Occurs alongside Mascarene Martin, but distinguished by the gray rather than brown overall coloration, unstreaked underparts, and more erratic flight style.
Guayaquil Woodpecker
Campephilus gayaquilensis
Large woodpecker found in both dry and humid forest in western Ecuador, northwestern Peru, and far southwestern Colombia. Note red head, white “V” on black back, white neck stripes, and barred lower underparts. On female, white neck stripe extends to beak. Similar to Lineated Woodpecker, but Guyaquil Woodpecker’s back stripes converge in a “V”, and it lacks a dark mask around the eye. Often perches on dead trees, and periodically pounds out a loud, powerful burst of knocks.
Ryukyu Minivet
Pericrocotus tegimae
Medium-sized, slender songbird, dark above, white below; rather large for a minivet. Male has white forecrown and brow, lacking in female. In both sexes, white of breast curves up behind black ear coverts, producing a distinctive head pattern. Both also show dusky patches on the sides of the breast that make a “vested” appearance. Inhabits lowland to montane forests, where typically forages in small flocks. Gives a dry trilling call, often in flight.
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