Natal Francolin
Pternistis natalensis
Silhouette: Amanda Kuhlman · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGalliformes (Landfowl)
- FamilyPhasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
- GenusPternistis (African Spurfowl)
- SpeciesPternistis natalensis (Natal Francolin)
About the Natal Francolin
The Natal spurfowl or Natal francolin (Pternistis natalensis) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Natal spurfowl was described in 1833 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith and given the binomial name Francolinus natalensis. Smith noted that the species inhabited brushwood thickets in the vicinity of Natal, in the east of South Africa. The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. A phylogenetic study published in 2019 found that the Natal spurfowl is sister to Hildebrandt's spurfowl. The Natal spurfowl is considered as monotypic: the proposed subspecies neavei is not recognised.
(Natal spurfowl = ) Natal francolin - Text and species map from Southern African Bird Atlas Project Audio recordings of the Natal spurfowl on Xeno-canto. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Natal Francolin in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
Red-necked Francolin
Pternistis afer
Swainson's Francolin
Pternistis swainsonii
Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin Quail
Coturnix delegorguei
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Crested Guineafowl
Guttera pucherani
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 | Pilanesberg National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 3 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Mana Pools National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 5 | Lower Zambezi National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 6 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 7 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 8 | Kafue National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 9 | South Luangwa National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 10 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 11 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 12 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 13 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Natal Francolin in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Natal Francolin sighting in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, based on 107 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Natal Francolin in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Natal Francolin in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in our monthly data.