Double-spurred spurfowl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Double-spurred spurfowl |
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| A covey in central Cameroon | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pternistis
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| Species: |
bicalcaratus
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| geographic distribution | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Double-spurred Spurfowl (its scientific name is Pternistis bicalcaratus) is a type of gamebird. It belongs to the pheasant family, called Phasianidae. These birds are found only in Africa. Most of them live in tropical West Africa. There is also a small group in Morocco, but their numbers are decreasing.
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About the Double-spurred Spurfowl's Name
Scientists give every living thing a special two-part name. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which animal or plant they are talking about. This system is called binomial nomenclature.
The Double-spurred Spurfowl got its scientific name, Tetrao bicalcaratus, from a famous Swedish scientist named Carl Linnaeus in 1766. He was the one who created this naming system. The second part of the name, bicalcaratus, comes from two Latin words: "bi" meaning "two" and "calcaris" meaning "spur." This name describes the bird's unique feature: it often has two spurs on each leg.
Today, this bird is placed in a group (called a genus) named Pternistis. Scientists have also found that the Double-spurred Spurfowl is closely related to another bird called Heuglin's spurfowl.
Different Types of Double-spurred Spurfowl
There are three main types, or subspecies, of the Double-spurred Spurfowl:
- P. b. adamauae (discovered by Oscar Neumann in 1915) — Found in central Nigeria, Cameroon, and southwest Chad.
- P. b. ayesha (discovered by Ernst Hartert in 1917) — Found in western Morocco.
- P. b. bicalcaratus (named by Carl Linnaeus in 1766) — Found from Senegambia and southern Mauritania to western Nigeria.
What Does the Double-spurred Spurfowl Look Like?
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The Double-spurred Spurfowl is about 30 to 34 centimeters (about 12 to 13.5 inches) long.
The male bird is mostly brown. It has darker streaks and cream-colored spots on its back. Its chest and side feathers are dark brown with cream edges and spots in the middle. Its face is pale cream with small dark brown flecks. It has a reddish-brown cap on its head and a white stripe above its eye. There's also a reddish-brown band around its neck, white patches on its cheeks, and brown wings.
A special feature of the male is that it usually has two spurs on each leg. These are like sharp points, but the upper one is often blunt. Its legs are a dull green color.
The female looks similar to the male. However, she is usually a bit smaller and not as strongly built. Females also typically do not have spurs. Males weigh around 507 grams (about 1.1 pounds), and females weigh about 381 grams (about 0.8 pounds).
Young birds look almost exactly like adult females after they shed their first feathers when they are a few weeks old. Male chicks take several months to grow their spurs. These birds usually don't start having their own chicks until they are about two years old.
Where Do They Live and What Do They Eat?
This bird lives in open areas that have trees. When it's time to lay eggs, the female makes a simple scrape nest on the ground. She lines it with soft materials. She usually lays 5 to 7 eggs.
The Double-spurred Spurfowl eats many different kinds of plants and insects. It's a very quiet and shy bird, so it can be hard to spot. You're most likely to hear it in spring when the male sings a loud, mechanical "krak-krak-krak" from a small hill.
When it flies, it takes off suddenly and loudly, much like a common pheasant. But usually, it prefers to sneak away quietly and stay hidden rather than fly.
