Shelley's Francolin
Scleroptila shelleyi
Medium-sized, beautifully-patterned francolin. Shows rufous patches in the wings in flight. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. Mostly at low and moderate elevations, but sometimes found in high mountain grassland. Call is a rhythmic up-and-down repeated “chil-it, chil-chow”. Generally scarce, shy, and retiring. Range does not overlap extensively with similar francolins. Combination of complex facial pattern and belly heavily barred black-and-white are always diagnostic. Much more cleanly and boldly marked than the more washed-out and buffy Whyte’s Francolin.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Scleroptila shelleyi
- Authority
- (Ogilvie-Grant, 1890)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Scleroptila
Range and habitat
It is found in grassy woodlands and grasslands in Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bristle-thighed Curlew
Numenius tahitiensis
A large shorebird with a long, curved bill. Similar to Whimbrel but warmer brown and with a cinnamon-colored rump. The bristly feathers on the upper legs are visible at close range. Breeds in upland tundra; during the nonbreeding season occurs in wetlands, sand dunes, rocky shores, pastures, and golf courses. Almost exclusively occurs in remote, hard to reach areas throughout the year, though does winter in reasonable numbers on the Hawaiian Islands (especially Oahu). Call is a loud “kee-oo-ee”, notably different than the common call of Whimbrel.
Crimson-headed Partridge
Haematortyx sanguiniceps
Unmistakable black partridge with a bright red head (hence the alternative name, “Bloodhead”). Inhabits Bornean montane forest (roughly 1000–1700 m) but may be encountered outside this altitudinal range. Gives a loud, ringing, somewhat metallic “ring-YING, ring-YING, ring-YING”.
Emperor Goose
Anser canagicus
Stocky goose that inhabits rocky coastlines, lagoons, and tidal flats. Striking white head, black throat, and petite pink bill. Blue-gray body with intricate black-and white bars, a white tail, and bright orange legs. Face sometimes stained orangish-brown. Juvenile has a gray head, but still shows white tail. Breeds on marshy tundra and winters in small flocks on coastal waters. Rarely seen outside Alaska.
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