Painted francolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Painted francolin |
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_Photograph_by_Shantanu_Kuveskar.jpg) |
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| F. pictus Maharashtra |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Francolinus
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| Species: |
pictus
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| Synonyms | |
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Perdix picta |
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The painted francolin (also called the painted partridge) is a type of francolin bird. You can find it in grassy areas of central and southern India and in southeastern Sri Lanka. These birds are easy to spot because of their loud calls, especially when they are ready to have babies.
It looks a bit like the black francolin, another bird it lives near. But you can tell the painted francolin apart. It has a reddish-brown face and throat. It also has white spots on its belly. Unlike the black francolin, it does not have a reddish-brown band on the back of its neck.
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About the Painted Francolin
This bird lives only in the Indian subcontinent. You can find it in different parts of India, from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh down to southern India. It also lives in Sri Lanka.
The painted francolin is similar to the female black francolin. However, it has a bright reddish-brown face and throat. Its belly has white spots. Its legs are orange-yellow to red. This bird often spends more time in trees than the black francolin. Both male and female painted francolins do not have spurs on their legs.
Scientists have named three types, or subspecies, of the painted francolin. The main type lives in Central and South India. A paler type, called pallidus, lives further north. The type found in Sri Lanka is called watsoni. In Sri Lanka, it lives in certain areas like the Uvala patinas and the lowlands of Nilgala and Bibile.
Where Painted Francolins Live
The painted francolin lives in areas south of where the black francolin is found. It likes semi-dry, hilly grasslands with bushes or farms. It prefers drier places than the black francolin. However, it likes wetter areas than the grey francolin.
Behaviour and Life Cycle
Painted francolins are not easy to see. But they become very noisy during their breeding season. This happens after the monsoon rains, usually from June to October. They call early in the morning. Their call sounds like a rough, broken crow: "chee-kee-kerray- Chee-kee-kerray." Other birds nearby will answer this call.
They often call from a high spot. This could be a small hill, a bush, or a tree stump. When it's not breeding season, they might call in the evening.
The painted francolin makes its nest by scraping a shallow hole in the ground. The female lays about six or seven smoky white eggs.
What Painted Francolins Eat
These birds eat different kinds of food. They eat grass seeds, including those from a plant called Brachiaria ramosa. They also eat grains of cultivated rice. Besides plants, they enjoy eating beetles and other insects. They also dig up and eat the roots of a plant called Cyperus rotundus.
Other Habits
When a painted francolin walks, it sometimes lifts its tail. If it feels in danger, it usually freezes and stays very still. It will only fly away if something comes very close. These birds often rest in trees. Sometimes, they also rest on the ground.
In Culture
This bird is special enough to appear on a 4.50 rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.
