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
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A tiny bird of montane forest canopy. Medium gray above and clean white below with a black bill and dark eye. Forages very actively in small single or mixed species flocks and often hovers to catch insects. Similar to Papuan Thornbill and Brown-breasted Gerygone, but Gray Thornbill is distinctly gray rather than brown above. Voice very similar to Brown-breasted Gerygone and birds even respond those calls. Song, a descending series of high-pitch, slurred notes. Call, high-pitch chips.
Black-faced Antbird
Myrmoborus myotherinus
Short-tailed antbird of forest understory. Both sexes have black face. Males are gray with white wingbars; females are brown above, buffy below, with cream wingbars and a white or buffy throat. Forages singly or in pairs low in the undergrowth of mature forest. Usually inhabits more mature forest than similar White-browed Antbird, but there is some overlap. Note differences in facial pattern; males lack the white eyebrow and females lack the orange eyebrow seen on White-browed Antbirds. Female Black-faced Antbirds also have browner underparts than White-browed. Listen for an even-paced series of 5–7 whistles that is slightly higher in the middle. In the southern part of its range, these whistles are pure-toned; in the north, they are harsher.
Fire-tailed Myzornis
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Uncommon but unmistakable inhabitant of middle- to high-altitude thickets. Bright green with fiery red tail edges, an orange throat, a black line through the eye, and flashing white dots on the wingtips. Females are slightly duller than males but are otherwise similar. Never in large numbers; usually seen singly, occasionally in pairs and trios. Often joins mixed-species foraging flocks.
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