Erckel's Spurfowl
NameErckel's Spurfowl
Common NameErckel's Spurfowl
Scientific NamePternistis erckelii
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)50
Length (cm)40.5
Weight (g)850
Plumage DetailsThe plumage features reddish-brown upperparts with fine barring. The head is striking with a black crown and nape, chestnut sides of the head and hindneck, a prominent white supercilium extending from above the eye, and a white throat. The underparts are heavily barred with dark brown or black and white.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a loud, raucous, cackling call, often described as a series of harsh 'kek-kek-kek' notes that accelerate into a rapid 'kerr-kerr-kerr'.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, mountain, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to the highlands of Eritrea and Ethiopia in East Africa. It has been introduced to other regions, notably Hawaii and California.
Identifying FeaturesDistinctive head pattern with black crown, chestnut sides, and white supercilium, Heavily barred dark brown/black and white underparts, Reddish-brown upperparts, Robust, ground-dwelling body shape
Description
Erckel's Spurfowl is a large, robust ground-dwelling bird characterized by its distinctive head pattern and heavily barred underparts. It typically forages in dense cover within montane forests and grasslands, often near rocky terrain.
