Crested Francolin
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Kuiffrankolijn = Robert's Bospatrys  Crested
francolinFrancolinus sephaena Kruger National Park |
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Distribution - Found in northeastern part of South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Habitat - A common resident of woodland and savanna, in particular thornveld.
Biological details - Characteristic for the Crested Francolin is a dark cap (with feathers standing up when the bird is alarmed) with contrasting, white eyebrow stripe and dark-striped chest, and red legs. The tail is often held cocked, bantam-like, at an angle of 45°. In flight the black tail is conspicuous. Height: 33-35 cm.
Call - A rattling 'chee-chakla, chee-chakla'.
Breeding - The nest is made on the ground and the female will incubate for about 19 days.
Diet - Crested Francolins will eat insects, termites, seeds and grain.
Other names - Peliperdix sephaena - F: Francolin huppé, Francolin casqué - D: Schopffrankolin - ESP: Francolín Capirotado - NL: Kuiffrankolijn - IT: Francolino crestato - Afrikaans: Bospatrys
Weblinks
John Voelcker Bird Book Fund
Books
Ian Sinclair - A photographic guide to birds of Southern Africa. Struik Publ., ISBN 1-86872-553-7
Ian Sinclair et al. - Sasol birds of Southern Africa. Struik Publ. ISBN 1-86872-033-0
Kenneth Newman - Newman se voëls van Suider-Afrika. SAPPI. ISBN 1-868-12-758-3
Vincent Carruthers (ed.) - The Wildlife of Southern Africa. Struik Publ. ISBN 1-86872-451-4
Social and breeding behaviour of the crested francolin in the Rustenburg district, South Africa. Van Niekerk, J.H. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 2001; 31: 35-42.
Abstract: Field studies were conducted to examine basic aspects of the social and breeding biology of the crested francolin Francolinus sephaena from August 1983 to April 1988, in South Africa. Fifty five francolins were trapped and marked with colour rings and small patagial tags, and observed in the field. The crested francolin lives in family coveys of 2-5 birds. The basis of their social organization is a male/female monogamous family system which appears to be the general pattern for a number of francolin species. The presence of a moderate degree of sexual dimorphism in plumage probably acts as a visual stimulus during courtship, with the male being attracted to the characteristic back plumage of the female. It is not clear from the survey whether pairs form permanent monogamous bonds. Courtship displays, male/male interactions, care of young and dynamics of covey structures are described. The mean winter territory during the non-breeding season was 155.3 ha. It was replaced by smaller breeding territories during the breeding season from October to March, which falls in the summer rainfall season. Incubation is by the female only, and she develops incubation patches. The periods for egg-laying, incubation, hatching and the period between hatching and when the nest was vacated was timed in a single case.