Painted Francolin Francolinus pictus

Boldly patterned francolin with conspicuous white spotting on the underparts and upperparts. Endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka, but recently has not been recorded in most of south India. Occurs in cultivated and open habitat with scattered trees and dense undergrowth where it remains hidden most of the year. Commonly detected in the late summer and monsoon by its repeated, grating, and high-pitched “click—khrak-khrukuk—khrakakak” calls. Territorial males are occasionally seen calling from raised open perches including treetops. Calls nearly identical to Black Francolin.