Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
A medium-sized buff-brown francolin with an occasionally-raised bushy crest. There is a broad “string-of-pearls” collar around the white throat. It frequents savanna and riverine forest. Heralds the dawn and dusk with a repeated, rapid, cheery “cheer kirk-kik” call usually given as a synchronized duet between a pair. Walks confidently with a cocked tail, giving it a chicken’s gait.
Identification
The crested francolin (Ortygornis sephaena) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in southern Africa. One of its subspecies, Ortygornis sephaena rovuma, is sometimes considered a separate species, Kirk's francolin.
Taxonomy
Formerly, the crested francolin was classified in its own genus Dendroperdix, but phylogenetic analysis indicates that it groups with the grey francolin (O. pondicerianus) and swamp francolin (O. gularis). As a result, all three species were reclassified into the genus Ortygornis.
- Scientific name
- Ortygornis sephaena
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1836)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Ortygornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Tiny bird, smaller than a warbler, with distinctive combination of boldly striped head, white wingbars, and bronzy-golden patch on sides of neck. Male has a fiery orange crown stripe; female's is yellow. Inhabits mixed forests, plantations, and gardens, usually in areas with conifers. In autumn and winter, often travels with foraging flocks of tits and other small woodland birds. Inconspicuous but active, often high in the canopy, giving high, thin, lisping vocalizations.
Yellow-throated Warbler
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Prong-billed Barbet
Semnornis frantzii
Strange brownish-yellow bird with thick silver bill and chunky body. Face and neck warm ochre; flanks silvery-gray. Unlikely to be mistaken for any other species given overall color and bill shape. Often in pairs; found in montane forests, usually at midstory or in the canopy. Listen for funny honking duet.
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