Swainson's Francolin
Pternistis swainsonii
Silhouette: Amanda Kuhlman · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderGalliformes (Landfowl)
- FamilyPhasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
- GenusPternistis (African Spurfowl)
- SpeciesPternistis swainsonii (Swainson's Francolin)
About the Swainson's Francolin
Swainson's spurfowl or Swainson's francolin (Pternistis swainsonii) 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.
It is found in grasslands and woodlands of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Swainson's spurfowl was described in 1836 by the Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith and given the binomial name Perdix swainsonii. Smith noted that the spurfowl inhabited the banks of the rivers beyond Kurrichaine (Kaditshwene), the modern province of Limpopo in South Africa. The specific epithet swainsonii was chosen to honour the English naturalist William Swainson. The species is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832. Swainson's spurfowl is treated as monotypic: the proposed subspecies lundazi is not recognised.
One syntype specimen of Perdix Swainsonii Smith (Rep.... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Swainson's Francolin in South Luangwa National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at South Luangwa National Park
Red-necked Francolin
Pternistis afer
Natal Francolin
Pternistis natalensis
Hildebrandt's Francolin
Pternistis hildebrandti
Coqui Francolin
Campocolinus coqui
Shelley's Francolin
Scleroptila shelleyi
Harlequin Quail
Coturnix delegorguei
Red-wing Francolin
Scleroptila levaillantii
Blue Quail
Synoicus adansonii
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 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 2 | Hwange National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 3 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Moremi Game Reserve | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 5 | Mana Pools National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 6 | Pilanesberg National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 7 | South Luangwa National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 8 | Lower Zambezi National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 9 | Chobe National Park | 🇧🇼 Botswana | |
| 10 | Kafue National Park | 🇿🇲 Zambia | |
| 11 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 12 | Waterberg Plateau Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 13 | Etosha National Park | 🇳🇦 Namibia | |
| 14 | Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Swainson's Francolin in South Luangwa National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Swainson's Francolin sighting in South Luangwa National Park, based on 257 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Swainson's Francolin in South Luangwa National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Swainson's Francolin in South Luangwa National Park in our monthly data.