Yellow-necked Spurfowl
NameYellow-necked Spurfowl
Common NameYellow-necked Spurfowl
Scientific NamePternistis leucoscepus
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)50
Length (cm)35
Weight (g)635
Plumage DetailsThe head and upper neck are greyish, contrasting with a prominent bright yellow patch on the throat and sides of the neck. The bare skin around the eye and on the face is bright red. The body plumage is dark brown to greyish-brown, heavily streaked and barred with white or pale buff, giving a scaly appearance, especially on the breast and flanks.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, raucous, cackling calls, often described as a series of harsh 'kek-kek-kek' notes that accelerate into a frantic cackle, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in eastern Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Identifying FeaturesBright yellow neck patch, Bare red facial skin, Streaked brown and white body plumage, Robust, ground-dwelling build
Description
The Yellow-necked Spurfowl is a robust, ground-dwelling bird native to eastern Africa, characterized by its distinctive bright yellow neck and bare red facial skin. It is typically found foraging in pairs or small groups in dry, bushy habitats.
