Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Small, beautifully-patterned francolin. Males have a rufous head, while females have an elaborately-striped head, and both sexes show dark barring on the belly. Found on the ground in areas with thick grass, ranging from pure grassland to lush woodland. A generally shy and retiring species that sometimes sits out boldly when calling. Gives two distinctive calls: a repeated “co-qui” and a short series of cackling notes. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail. Its plumage pattern is distinctive when seen well.
Taxonomy
Formerly classified in the genus Peliperdix, a 2020 study found it, the white-throated francolin (C. albogularis), and Schlegel's francolin (C. schlegelii) together comprise a new genus Campocolinus. The International Ornithological Congress has accepted these findings.
- Scientific name
- Campocolinus coqui
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1836)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Campocolinus
Range and habitat
It mainly inhabits grasslands, steppes, savannas and dry scrubland, but also bright forest and grain fields. On high plateaus it lives up to 2,000 meters high. It is mostly resident throughout its range. It is mainly found in Africa's southern half but is also sparsely present in the western Sahel and Ethiopia. It is believed to be the most widespread francolin in Africa.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-margined Flatbill
Tolmomyias assimilis
Small flycatcher most often seen high in rainforest canopy, often with mixed species flocks. Its bill is very wide at the base and wing feathers are conspicuously edged with yellow. Confusingly similar to several other species. Dark eye helps to separate it from Gray-crowned Flycatcher, and usually shows brighter wings with less well defined wingbars than Yellow-olive Flycatcher. Whitish (not yellow) throat distinguishes it from Olive-faced Flycatcher and Ochre-lored Flycatcher. Voice is often the best clue. Yellow-margined Flycatcher gives a rising series of clear or buzzy whistles. Song has a very nasal quality in some parts of its range. Birds found west and north of the Andes are now considered a separate species, Yellow-winged Flycatcher.
Rufous-winged Woodpecker
Piculus simplex
Fairly small woodpecker, overall olive-green with bright red crown and mustache. Barred belly. Female similar to male but shows red only on nape. Both sexes have pale eye. Don’t look for rufous in the wing, it’s very subtle! Found in forests and edges, singly or in pairs.
Versicolored Barbet
Eubucco versicolor
Brightly colored barbet of montane forest. Males are green with a yellow breast, a red belly band, and a red head; the color of the whisker can be blue or yellow depending on the subspecies. Females have a blue face and a greener body. Both sexes have a pale greenish-yellow bill. Often found singly or in pairs with mixed-species flocks, foraging in the mid-story and canopy of humid forest. Listen for a musical purr with a punctuated introductory note: “PA-prrrrr.”
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