Red-billed Francolin
Pternistis adspersus
Silhouette: Amanda Kuhlman · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGalliformes (Landfowl)
- FamilyPhasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
- GenusPternistis (African Spurfowl)
- SpeciesPternistis adspersus (Red-billed Francolin)
About the Red-billed Francolin
The red-billed spurfowl (Pternistis adspersus), also known as the red-billed francolin, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size. Males are larger, measuring 38 cm (15 in) in length and weighing 340–635 g (12.0–22.4 oz), whereas females measure 33 cm (13 in) in length and weigh 340–549 g (12.0–19.4 oz). The species has barred underparts (in contrast to the related Natal spurfowl) and a conspicuous yellow eye-ring.
The red-billed spurfowl was described in 1838 by the English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse from specimens collected by James Edward Alexander on his expedition to Namaqualand and Damaraland. Waterhouse coined the binomial name Francolinus adspersus and noted that the specimens had come near the Fish River in what is now Namibia. The specific epithet adspersus is Latin for "sprinkling". The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. The red-billed spurfowl is considered as monotypic: the proposed subspecies mesicus is not... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Red-billed Francolin in Chobe National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Chobe National Park
Swainson's Francolin
Pternistis swainsonii
Natal Francolin
Pternistis natalensis
Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
Red Junglefowl
Gallus gallus
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Harlequin Quail
Coturnix delegorguei
Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila gutturalis
Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 2 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 3 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 4 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 5 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | Namib-Naukluft National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 7 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 8 | Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Red-billed Francolin in Chobe National Park?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Red-billed Francolin sighting in Chobe National Park, based on 930 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Red-billed Francolin in Chobe National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Red-billed Francolin in Chobe National Park in our monthly data.