Gray-winged Francolin Scleroptila afra Scientific name definitions
- LC Least Concern
- Names (20)
- Monotypic
Revision Notes
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Species names in all available languages
Language | Common name |
---|---|
Afrikaans | Bergpatrys |
Catalan | francolí jugular |
Czech | frankolín jihoafrický |
Dutch | Grijsvleugelfrankolijn |
English | Gray-winged Francolin |
English (United States) | Gray-winged Francolin |
French | Francolin à ailes grises |
French (France) | Francolin à ailes grises |
German | Grauflügelfrankolin |
Japanese | ハイバネシャコ |
Norwegian | gråvingefrankolin |
Polish | frankolin szaroskrzydły |
Russian | Серокрылый франколин |
Serbian | Sivokrili frankolin |
Slovak | frankolín sivokrídly |
Spanish | Francolín Aligrís |
Spanish (Spain) | Francolín aligrís |
Swedish | gråvingad frankolin |
Turkish | Yayla Turacı |
Ukrainian | Турач сірокрилий |
Revision Notes
Nárgila Moura revised the account. Guy M. Kirwan contributed to the Systematics page. Peter F. D. Boesman contributed to the Sounds and Vocal Behavior page. Claire Walter contributed to the Identification page. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media.
Scleroptila afra (Latham, 1790)
Definitions
- SCLEROPTILA
- afra
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Introduction
The Gray-winged Francolin is endemic to South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, where it is a locally common resident and principally inhabits montane grassland at 1,800‒2,750 m, although the species also occurs around sea level in southwest Cape Province. Its plumage is gray-brown with narrow bars on the underparts, less rufous on the wings, and a mottled whitish throat, which are the principal field marks to separate the species from Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii), Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis), and Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi). The Gray-winged Francolin was formerly treated as conspecific with the Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) of high elevations in northeast Africa, and recent genetic analyses suggest that these two species are sister to one another. Scleroptila afra is usually observed in small family parties, occasionally larger groups of up to 25 individuals, walking on the ground looking for bulbs and tubers, from where it is easily flushed.