Swamp francolin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp francolin |
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| In Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ortygornis
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| Species: |
gularis
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| Synonyms | |
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Francolinus gularis |
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The swamp francolin (Ortygornis gularis), also known as the swamp partridge, is a type of bird that looks a bit like a small chicken. It lives in the grassy areas near the Himalayas mountains in northern India and Nepal. Sadly, it is no longer found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh.
This bird is considered a Vulnerable animal. This means there are not many of them left, and they could become endangered if we don't protect them.
Contents
What Does the Swamp Francolin Look Like?
The swamp francolin is a fairly large bird with long legs. Both male and female birds look similar, but the male has small spurs on its legs.
Its upper feathers are brown with buff (light yellowish-brown) stripes. The outer feathers of its tail are a warm chestnut color. Its throat is a bright rust-red, and the rest of its belly is brown with white streaks. The bird has a blackish beak, dark eyes, and dull red feet.
A male swamp francolin is a bit bigger than a female. It can be about 15 inches (38 cm) long. Its wing is over 7 inches (18 cm) long, and its lower leg (shank) is about 2.25 inches (5.7 cm).
Where Does the Swamp Francolin Live?
As its name suggests, the swamp francolin loves swampy areas. It lives in tall grass and thick cane plants near rivers and lakes. Sometimes, it will go into farm fields to find food.
These birds are found in the flat, watery plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Their home stretches from Pilibhit in India all the way to Assam and Cachar. They have even been seen on the Khasi plateau, but not in the Sundarbans area.
Swamp Francolin Habits
Because they live in very tall grass and thick plants, swamp francolins are often hard to spot. People who study or hunt them sometimes use elephants to move through their habitat. However, they can also be found in grass that is only three or four feet high.
These birds are known to be quite feisty, much like the common grey partridge. They also sound similar to the grey partridge when they call out.
Not much is known about how they lay eggs. However, on two occasions, five cream-colored eggs with slight speckles were found in April.
Some people have wondered if this bird, which lives in swamps, ever goes into the water. One person who cared for a swamp francolin at the London Zoo said they saw it standing in water.
Protecting the Swamp Francolin
The Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in Nepal is one of the places where these birds live. This reserve helps protect the swamp francolin and its habitat. Since the bird is considered vulnerable, protecting these areas is very important to help its population grow.
Gallery
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A pair of swamp francolins at Kaziranga National Park, India.
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A swamp francolin at Kaziranga National Park, India.
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A swamp francolin in its natural habitat.
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A swamp francolin at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal.
