Cape spurfowl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape spurfowl |
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| Adult female (no leg spurs) at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Pternistis |
| Species: |
P. capensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Pternistis capensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
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| range strongholds lower density or localized |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Cape spurfowl (also called the Cape francolin) is a type of bird found only in southern Africa. It belongs to the pheasant family. This bird is the biggest francolin in its area. You can find it in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It also lives further north in parts of southern Namibia. The Cape spurfowl can live in many different places, even near people. It likes areas with bushes for sleeping and nesting. This bird is not in danger of extinction.
What's in a Name?
The Cape spurfowl got its first description from an English bird expert, John Latham, in 1783. He called it the "Cape partridge." Six years later, in 1789, a German scientist named Johann Friedrich Gmelin gave it a scientific name: Tetrao capensis. The word capensis is Latin. It means "from the Cape of Good Hope," which is a famous place in South Africa.
Today, this bird is placed in the Pternistis group of birds. The Cape spurfowl is a unique species. It does not have different types or subspecies. Its closest relative is the Natal spurfowl. Both birds have similar patterns on their feathers.
Where They Live
The Cape spurfowl is common in the Western Cape region of South Africa. It lives in areas with strandveld, renosterveld, and fynbos plants. These birds prefer lower areas. Higher up, you might find the grey-winged francolin instead.
They also live in the karoo desert, but in smaller numbers. Here, they stay close to rivers. You can see them near the Orange and Fish Rivers. The Cape spurfowl was also brought to Robben Island. They do well there because there are fewer parasites. These birds can even find food in places changed by humans. This includes parks, farms, vineyards, and areas with invasive plants like rooikrans.
Habits and Behavior
The Cape spurfowl likes open areas with bushes. They prefer to be near running water. They lay their eggs in spring and early summer. This is also when they make the most noise. Their nest is a simple scrape in the ground. It is lined with grass and hidden under a bush. A female usually lays six to eight eggs. Sometimes, two females might even lay eggs in the same nest.
These birds can become quite tame. They will feed in gardens or by roadsides. They might even join farmyard chickens. If disturbed, they usually run away instead of flying. But even young birds can fly well if they get scared. Their call is a loud sound that sounds like cackalac-cackalac-cackalac.
What They Look Like
The Cape spurfowl is about 40 to 42 centimeters (16 to 17 inches) long. Males are usually bigger than females. A male can weigh between 600 and 915 grams (1.3 to 2 pounds). Females weigh between 435 and 659 grams (0.9 to 1.4 pounds). From a distance, this large bird looks dark. But up close, its feathers have fine grey and white patterns. Its head and neck are plainer.
Males and females have similar feathers. However, males have two leg spurs. Females usually have only one short spur, or none at all. Young birds look like adults. But their legs are duller, and their feather patterns are clearer. This large, dark francolin is easy to spot. It is unlikely to be confused with other birds in its home area.
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