Schlegel's Francolin

Campocolinus schlegelii

Small and colorful francolin. Males and females are similar, but males have richer coloration and a barred breast, while females have V-shaped marks across the breast. Found on the ground in savanna and woodland habitats with thick grass. Usually in pairs or small groups. Generally shy and retiring. The distinctive call is a short series of cackling notes, which accelerates, descends, and fades away. Somewhat similar to White-throated Francolin, but distinguished by many details, including the chestnut back, orange throat, and lack of rufous wings in flight. Similar to Coqui Francolin but ranges don’t overlap. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail. 

Identification

Schlegel's francolin (Campocolinus schlegelii) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and South Sudan. According to the IUCN Red List, in which the species is rated as "least concern", the global population is unknown, but there have been no fluctuations in population. Formerly classified in the genus Peliperdix, a 2020 study found it, the white-throated francolin (C. albogularis), and the coqui francolin (C. coqui) together comprise a new genus Campocolinus. The International Ornithological Congress has accepted these findings.

Taxonomy

Genus: Campocolinus; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.

Scientific name
Campocolinus schlegelii
Authority
(Heuglin, 1863)
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Campocolinus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: stable.

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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