The red-necked spurfowl or red-necked francolin, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae that is a resident species in southern Africa.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across much of southern and parts of central Africa, favoring savanna, woodland edges, riparian thickets, and cultivated farmlands. It keeps close to dense cover but forages in more open patches, roadsides, and field margins. Avoids dense closed forests and true deserts, but tolerates mosaics of bush, grassland, and cropland. Often associated with watercourses and areas with scattered shrubs or termitaria. Frequently persists in human-modified landscapes where hunting pressure is moderate.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the red-necked francolin, this ground-dwelling gamebird is noted for the bare red skin on its face and throat and the sharp tarsal spurs that give spurfowls their name. It typically calls loudly from termite mounds or elevated perches at dawn and dusk. Widely hunted but adaptable, it thrives in a range of savanna and agricultural landscapes.
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; explosive flush, prefers to run
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups, especially outside the breeding season. Largely monogamous, nesting is on the ground in a shallow scrape concealed in grass or under shrubs. Adults shepherd chicks soon after hatching and remain close to cover when alarmed.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, harsh, accelerating series of cackles often delivered as duets, carrying far at dawn and dusk. Calls frequently given from elevated perches such as termite mounds or fence posts. Alarm notes are sharp, rasping clucks.
Plumage
Heavily mottled and barred brown upperparts with finely patterned flanks and breast showing pale speckling. Underparts are dusky with white spotting; overall appearance is cryptic and scaly. Bare facial skin and throat are bright red, contrasting with a darker crown and face.
Diet
Feeds on a mix of seeds, grains, bulbs, green shoots, and fallen fruit, supplemented with insects such as termites, ants, beetles, and other small invertebrates. Scratches at the ground and leaf litter to uncover food. Will opportunistically take agricultural spillage in croplands and around settlements.
Preferred Environment
Forages along field edges, tracks, and open patches adjacent to dense cover for quick escape. Often seen near watercourses, termitaria, and thickets where food and shelter are both available.
