Black francolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black francolin |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Francolinus
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| Species: |
francolinus
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| Synonyms | |
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Tetrao francolinus Linnaeus, 1766 |
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The black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) is a type of gamebird. It belongs to the pheasant family, called Phasianidae. These birds are part of a larger group known as Galliformes. People used to call this bird the black partridge. Today, it is the official state bird of Haryana in India, where it is known as Kaala Teetar (काला तीतर).
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What is a Black Francolin?
Black francolins are medium-sized birds. They are known for their striking colors, especially the males. They live in grassy areas and farmlands. These birds are quite shy and prefer to stay hidden.
How Big Are They?
Black francolins are usually about 33 to 36 cm (13 to 14 in) long. That's about the length of a ruler. They weigh around 453 g (16 oz), which is less than a pound.
What Do They Look Like?
The male black francolin is mostly black. It has a white patch on its cheek and a chestnut-colored ring around its neck. You can also see white spots on its sides. Its back and wings have golden-brown patterns. The tail is black with thin white or gray stripes. Their legs and neck are reddish-brown.
The female black francolin is mostly brown. She has a chestnut color on the back of her neck. Her head is curved, with brown eyes and a brown top. Unlike the male, she doesn't have a white cheek patch. Her feathers are duller, and her chest is a light tan color.
What Does Their Call Sound Like?
The black francolin has a loud and clear call. It sounds like "klik cheek-cheek-cheerakik" or "kik-kik-kik." You can often hear them calling in the mornings and evenings. During their breeding season, they call almost all day long! The male often calls from a small hill, rock, or low tree branch. Other birds then answer from nearby.
Where Do Black Francolins Live?
Black francolins live in many parts of Asia. They are found from south-eastern Turkey all the way east to Iran, southwest Turkmenistan, and northeast India. They also live in parts of Bangladesh. Sadly, their numbers have gone down because of too much hunting.
Where Else Can They Be Found?
Some black francolins were brought to places like Louisiana in the United States in 1961. They were also introduced to south Florida, Guam, and the Hawaiian Islands.
What Kind of Places Do They Like?
These birds prefer bushy areas with lots of tall crops. These crops give them good places to hide. They also like areas with thick plants, especially near water. Black francolins don't live in forests. Instead, they prefer the edges of forests and grasslands. They seem to like water more than some other similar birds.
How Do Black Francolins Behave?
Black francolins usually try to sneak away unseen if they feel threatened. They only fly when they really have to. When they do fly, it's a fast, explosive flight, similar to a pheasant. They fly short distances and then glide with their rounded wings.
How Do They Raise Their Young?
Black francolins usually have only one mate for life. They build their nests in tall grasslands. This happens from late March to May. The male bird will stand on a rock or low branch and make his loud call to attract a mate.
Both parents take care of the chicks after they hatch. The young birds stay with their parents through their first winter. Black francolins often nest in savannas, grasslands, or bushy areas near farms.
In the wild, a female usually lays between 10 and 14 eggs. The eggs are olive or pale brown with white spots. Only the mother bird sits on the eggs. This takes about 18 to 19 days. The breeding season is from April to June. Young birds can be seen from April to October.
What Do They Eat?
Black francolins look for food on the ground. They eat plants and small insects. Their diet includes grains, grass seeds, fallen berries, and young plant shoots. They also enjoy termites and ants.
Images for kids
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A female black francolin.
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A black francolin from Bajoon village in Uttarakhand, India.
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A black francolin.
See also
In Spanish: Francolín ventrinegro para niños
