Yellow-necked spurfowl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yellow-necked spurfowl
In Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Genus:	Pternistis
Species:	P. leucoscepus
Binomial name
Pternistis leucoscepus (Gray, GR, 1867)
geographic distribution
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Synonyms
Francolinus leucoscepus

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The yellow-necked spurfowl (also called the yellow-necked francolin) is a type of bird that belongs to the Phasianidae family. These birds live in parts of Africa, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

This bird gets its name from the bright yellow patch on its neck. Male yellow-necked spurfowls also have sharp spurs on the back of their legs.

What is a Yellow-necked Spurfowl?

The yellow-necked spurfowl is a medium-sized bird. It is known for its distinctive yellow neck patch. These birds are often found on the ground. They are good at hiding in their surroundings.

Where Do Yellow-necked Spurfowls Live?

These birds are found across a wide area in East Africa. They live in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. They prefer dry, open areas. This includes grasslands and savannas. They can also live near farms.

What Do Yellow-necked Spurfowls Eat?

Yellow-necked spurfowls are omnivores. This means they eat both plants and small animals. Their diet often includes seeds, grains, and insects. They spend a lot of time looking for food on the ground.

Behavior and Daily Life

Yellow-necked spurfowls are most active during certain times of the day. They are often seen moving around at dawn and dusk. This is when they search for food. They are also very good at adapting to changes in their environment.

These birds can continue to live in areas where farming has started. They only leave when there are too many people. This shows how tough and flexible they are.

How Do Yellow-necked Spurfowls Communicate?

The yellow-necked spurfowl has a unique call. It sounds like a series of scratchy, descending "upslurs." They can make up to seven sounds in a row. Male birds often call from high places. They might stand on top of earth mounds or rocks. Sometimes, they use termite mounds as their calling spots.

Conservation Status

The yellow-necked spurfowl is not currently considered an endangered species. Its population is thought to be decreasing. However, it is not declining very quickly. The main threat to these birds is too much hunting. Even so, their numbers are still strong enough. They are not at risk of becoming vulnerable.

Gallery

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  In Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, Africa

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  From US Fish and Wildlife Service image library

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  At Denver Zoo, USA

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  Illustration by Joseph Smit, 1893