The grey-striped spurfowl is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found only in Angola.
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
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
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.
Grey-striped Spurfowl Angola
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.
Plumage
Overall brown to grey-brown with fine grey and whitish striping on the underparts; upperparts mottled and vermiculated for excellent camouflage. The face and neck show grey tones with subtle pale streaking, and the flanks are neatly barred. Feathers are dense and smooth, aiding in stealthy movement through brush.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of seeds, shoots, bulbs, and berries, complemented by insects such as beetles, termites, and other invertebrates. It scratches through leaf litter and soft soil to uncover hidden food items. Opportunistic near smallholder fields, it picks at spilt grain and weed seeds.
Preferred Environment
Forages along thicket edges, understory clearings, and scrubby slopes where cover is close by. Often uses paths, field margins, and the bases of bushes to move and feed while remaining concealed.
