FeatherScan logo
FeatherScan
Overview
Grey-striped spurfowl

Grey-striped spurfowl

Wikipedia

The grey-striped spurfowl is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found only in Angola.

Loading map...

Distribution

Region

Southwest Africa

Typical Environment

This species is confined to the western and central Angolan escarpment and adjacent uplands. It favors dense thickets, woodland edges, secondary growth, and riverine bush, often near scrubby slopes and farm-field margins. Birds keep close to ground cover, moving between shaded understory and more open patches to feed. Occurrence is patchy but can be locally common where suitable brushy habitat persists.

Altitude Range

500–2000 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size30–36 cm
Wing Span45–50 cm
Male Weight0.55 kg
Female Weight0.48 kg
Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The grey-striped spurfowl is a ground-dwelling gamebird found only along Angola’s western escarpment. It often betrays its presence with loud duetted calls at dawn and dusk despite being shy and secretive in dense cover. Like other spurfowls, it has strong legs with sharp spurs used in defense and dominance displays.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Grey-striped Spurfowl Angola

Grey-striped Spurfowl Angola

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually found in pairs or small family groups (coveys), keeping to dense cover and freezing or running before taking to wing. Breeding pairs are territorial and nest on the ground in a well-hidden scrape lined with vegetation. Chicks are precocial and follow adults soon after hatching.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A loud, ringing series of cackling, duetted notes, typically delivered at dawn and dusk. Calls carry over long distances and are used for pair bonding and territory advertisement.

Similar Bird Species