Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis Scientific name definitions

30–38 cm; male 415–723 g, female 370–482 g. Head dark grey-brown with paler feather fringes and tips, blackish patch around eye, whitish underparts closely scalloped blackish, most obvious on flanks and most intense on throat to breast, and entire upperparts dull greyish brown indistinctly vermiculated paler with prominent blackish shaft-streaks. Differs from very similar male P. hildebrandti by finer, more regular black markings on underparts, and in many areas (e.g. Zambia) the two species do not occur syntopically (1 Dowsett, R. J., D. R. Aspinwall, and F. Dowsett-Lemaire (2008). The Birds of Zambia. Tauraco Press & Aves, Liège, Belgium. Close ); from male P. hartlaubi by red bill and feet; and from P. clappertoni by lack of distinct white supercilium. Female averages smaller, with much-reduced spur (male usually has one). Juvenile paler; underparts buff finely barred black, with white shaft-streaks, dull greenish bill and pinkish legs. Much variation, with characters varying independently of each other; race neavei typically paler below with more obvious (but sparser) scaling than nominate race.

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Has at times been placed in genus Chaetopus or in Notocolinus; latter name may alternatively represent a valid subgenus for this species, P. adspersus, P. capensis and P. hildebrandti (2 Clancey, P.A. (1996). Further on subspeciation in the Red-billed Francolin Pternistis adspersus (Waterhouse), 1838. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 116(2): 104–108. Close ). Within the francolins, present species was found to share certain syringeal characteristics only with P. capensis (3 Mandiwana-Neudani, T.G., Kopuchian, C., Louw, G. and Crowe, T.M. (2011). A study of gross morphological and histological syringeal features of true francolins (Galliformes: Francolinus, Scleroptila, Peliperdix and Dendroperdix spp.) and spurfowls (Pternistis spp.) in a phylogenetic context. Ostrich. 82(2): 115–127. Close ). Hybridizes with P. swainsonii in SW Zimbabwe; occasional hybridization with P. hildebrandti has been reported, as well as with P. adspersus in captivity (4 van Niekerk, J.H. (2009). Hybridisation between Red-billed Pternistis adspersus and Natal P. natalensis Spurfowls in captivity calls for a search in the wild. Ostrich. 80(1): 63–64. Close ). Geographical variation is rather small and poorly defined, and also clinal, its assessment further complicated by individual variation; form thamnobium (used for paler birds from drier areas in E of range) is considered untenable; this species is perhaps better treated as monotypic (5 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Two subspecies tentatively recognized.

C Zambia S through Zimbabwe and Swaziland to E South Africa (W Orange Free State, Natal, N & E Cape Province).

Usually occurs in habitats with some cover from sea-level up to 1800 m, including hillsides littered with dense thickets, dry forest along watercourses and bush or woodland with undergrowth; even montane forest and bush. Also Acacia scrub in rocky country; amongst vegetation along rivers; and amidst mature crops on farmland. Often found close to water.

Small bulbs and roots, cowpeas, berries and seeds, including grain; also beetles, termites, grasshoppers and caterpillars. Forages on rhinoceros and elephant dung. Typically occurs in small coveys of up to ten individuals, often mixing with P. adspersus and P. swainsonii. Also occurs alongside Dendroperdix sephaena and P. afer (latter occurs in denser vegetation) (1 Dowsett, R. J., D. R. Aspinwall, and F. Dowsett-Lemaire (2008). The Birds of Zambia. Tauraco Press & Aves, Liège, Belgium. Close ).

Just like other members of the genus Pternistis, voice of the Cape Francolin typically sounds harsh and rather uninteresting, and as a consequence most field guides briefly describe only the male advertising call. At closer observation however, one can discern at least 5 different vocalisations of the adult birds, and 2 more at different stages of the immature. Furthermore, thanks to the research of Johann van Niekerk (5), not only the function of every vocalization has largely been clarified, but also the differences between the various species of the genus has been documented, in an attempt to construct a voice-based taxonomy.

Vocal Development

Small chicks frequently utter a faint "cheep" call (duration c 0.2s, frequency ranging from 2.5 to 3.5kHz, V-shaped on sonogram), to keep contact with the mother. Older juveniles and subadults utter a soft high-pitched whistle between c 3 and 4kHz, usually slightly descending in pitch and with a duration of c 0.5‒2s, especially when separated or rejected by the group. Further development has not been documented.

Vocal Array

The vocabulary of Pternistis Francolins has been studied in much detail by Johann H. von Niekerk (6 van Niekerk, J. H. (2013). Vocal structure, behavior and partitioning of all 23 Pternistis spp. into homologous sound (and monophyletic) groups. Chinese Birds. 4(3):210–231. Close ). We largely follow his categorization here.

Advertisement call. A loud crowing or cackling phrase, which initially swells in volume and slightly increases in pitch with notes becoming increasingly rhythmic and multisyllabic, after which it ends rather abruptly, the total phrase lasting c 7‒9s: “kok..kok..kok-keek..kok-keekereek..kok-keekereek..kok-keekereek”. Typically a single phrase is uttered, and intervals between phrases is long and unpredictable.

Group chorus. A number of close-by males respond to each other, resulting in a cacophonic chorus. Often heard intermittently at dusk for 20-30 minutes before roosting.

Ground alarm call. A short single rather nasal cluck "kek", repeated incessantly with intervals of c 1‒2s as long as the alarm situation is present.

Flight alarm call. A harsh, guttural frantic burst of monosyllabic notes, uttered when taking off. The pace of this note series gradually decreases. Total duration c 3‒4s.

Mother-offspring bonding call. A repeated medium-loud double note "Toro-rot", every double note lasting c 0.2s.

Other. A feeding or comfort call is also described, typically uttered by singles which are not in the vicinity of other members, and thus apparently don't possess a particular social significance (6 van Niekerk, J. H. (2013). Vocal structure, behavior and partitioning of all 23 Pternistis spp. into homologous sound (and monophyletic) groups. Chinese Birds. 4(3):210–231. Close ).

Geographic Variation

None documented. Based on the available sound recordings there seem to be no obvious vocal differences between birds in the northern and southern part of its range (or between presently recognized races).

Phenology

Little information. Male advertisement call is mainly heard during the breeding season in the rainy period. Other vocalizations can probably be heard throughout the year.

Daily Pattern of Vocalizing

Advertisement call of male can be heard mainly early in the morning, and again in late afternoon.

Places of Vocalizing

Male takes an erect posture when advertising, either from the ground or on a slightly elevated perch like a big stone or earth heap.

Sex Differences

Advertisement call and Group chorus are exclusively male vocalisations while Mother-offspring bonding call is exclusively female. Other vocalizations presumably are uttered by both sexes.

Repertoire and Delivery of Songs

The male advertisement call is somewhat variable, although this has not been studied in detail. Other vocalizations are rather stereotypic.

Social Content and Presumed Functions of Vocalizations

The advertisement call primarily is used to demarcate a territory, to keep out other males and to attract females. The Mother-offspring bonding call is uttered by the mother when intruders (humans, mammals) approach the nursing covey, as a warning signal towards the chicks.

None documented. When taking off, prior to uttering the Flight alarm call, wing noise can be heard, but this obviously has no communicative function.

Probably breeds in late rains and winter across range as a whole; nesting unpredictable, usually Jan–Feb and Apr–Jul in South Africa; all months except Oct, especially Mar–May (over 50% of clutches) in Zimbabwe; Jan–Aug (peak Apr) in Zambia (1 Dowsett, R. J., D. R. Aspinwall, and F. Dowsett-Lemaire (2008). The Birds of Zambia. Tauraco Press & Aves, Liège, Belgium. Close ). Probably monogamous. Nest a shallow scrape lined with grass and pehaps a few feathers in dense cover. Usually five creamy to pale buff eggs (2–10+), mean size 42 mm × 34 mm, with largest clutches perhaps indicative of egg-dumping (7 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ); incubation in captivity 20–22 days (7 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ), by female alone; downy chicks have broad rufous-brown central stripe  above  , creamy-buff underparts, tended by both sexes; capable of short flights at 10–14 days and strong flight at 49–56 days (7 Tarboton, W. (2001). A Guide to the Nests and Eggs of Southern African Birds. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Mace Lande: safe. Occurs in suitable habitat throughout area of more than 1,000,000 km². Considered generally abundant, or locally common. In South Africa , numbers have declined due to land development, but are now considered stable, and sport hunting provides commercial incentive to conserve species; species occurs in several protected areas although its survival is unlikely to depend upon such areas. In Zimbabwe, where hunting is permitted, a Aug–Nov shooting season is recommended. Not in need of conservation attention.