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| Photo by Achim Mittler (Flickr) |
Common name:
Shelley’s francolin (en); francolim-de-Shelley (pt); francolin de Shelley (fr); francolín de Shelley (es); Shelley-frankolin (de)
Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae
Range:
This African species is found in in the south-eastern portion of the continent, from Kenya and Tanzania, through Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and down to eastern South Africa.
Size:
The Shelley’s francolin is 30-35 cm long and weighs 480-500 g.
Habitat:
These birds are found in dry savannas, woodlands and dry grasslands, particularly in areas of rocky ground. They are mainly found at altitudes of 700-3.000 m.
Diet:
Shelley’s francolins mainly eat corms, bulbs, seeds and grains, but will also take insects during the summer.
Breeding:
They can breed all year round, varying between different parts of their range. The nest is a scape in the ground, lined with grasses and roots and placed among grass or bushes. There the female lays 3-8 white eggs, which she incubates alone for 20-22 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and are able to fly short distances after 12 days, but only become fully independent 5 weeks after hatching.
Conservation:
IUCN status – LC (Least Concern)
The Shelley’s francolin has a very large breeding range and is reported to be generally common to locally rare. The population is declining owing to habitat degradation caused by over-grazing and burning.
