Swainson's spurfowl or Swainson's francolin is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae which is native to southern Africa. In the Shona language in Zimbabwe, this bird is called the chikwari or horwe and is considered a delicacy by outdoor and hunting enthusiasts. Swainson's spurfowl was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in savanna, open woodland (including mopane and thornveld), floodplains, and agricultural lands in countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, northern South Africa, Namibia (northeast), and southwestern Zambia. It favors ecotones with scattered shrubs and grass where it can feed on the ground but dash into cover when alarmed. Frequently uses watercourses, drainage lines, and field margins. Readily occupies ranchlands and smallholder fields and may roost in trees to avoid predators.
Altitude Range
200–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Swainson's spurfowl, also called Swainson's francolin, is a robust ground-dwelling gamebird native to southern Africa and commonly encountered along roadsides and farmland edges. It is named after the English ornithologist William Swainson. In Zimbabwe it is known as chikwari or horwe and is widely regarded as a prized table bird. It adapts well to human-altered landscapes and often forms small coveys outside the breeding season.
Temperament
wary but can be confiding near human activity
Flight Pattern
explosive flush with short rapid wingbeats followed by a short glide into cover
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small coveys outside the breeding season. Monogamous pairs nest on the ground in a scrape concealed by grass or shrubs. They often roost in trees and use elevated perches or termite mounds for calling at dawn. Family groups may remain together for several months after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, grating cackle delivered in accelerating series, often as antiphonal duets at first light. Calls carry far across open savanna and are used for territory advertisement and cohesion. Alarm notes are harsh and abrupt.
Plumage
Heavily mottled and barred brown and grey plumage with a scaled appearance on the underparts and a paler throat. Upperparts are dark brown with lighter edging; underparts show fine grey and dark barring. Bare red facial skin and a stout red bill contrast with the otherwise earthy tones.
Diet
Omnivorous, taking seeds, grains, bulbs, and green shoots, complemented by invertebrates such as termites, ants, beetles, and grasshoppers. Will forage in recently burned areas and along field margins to pick spilled grain and sprouting crops. Opportunistically consumes fallen fruit and tubers unearthed by scratching. Chicks rely heavily on small insects for protein.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly on the ground along roadsides, in short grass, at edges of woodland, and in cultivated fields. Uses cover of shrubs and termite mounds to move between feeding patches. Often forages in loose groups, keeping watch for predators.
