Red billed Francolin

Etosha, Namibia

The red-billed francolin is another terrestrial bird that prefers not to fly because they do not fly well and would rather walk than run. Francolins, of which there are around 40 species, have plump bodies and short wings.  They are found amongst scrub and in semi-desert regions in southern Africa.

Feeding

The red-billed francolins are omnivores feeding on both plants and animas including fruit, flowers, seeds, leaves, roots, tubers, insects, worms, snails, snakes, lizards, rodents and eggs.

Breeding

The breeding season for red-billed francolins can be any time during the year depending on rainfall. The nest is a scrape which may be sparsely lined,sheltered by grass or bushes. The female lays between 3 and 10 eggs and incubates them alone. After around 3 weeks the precocial chicks hatch and soon leave the nest, a survival trait necessary for a ground nesting bird.

Wildfile Specail

• The adult male red-billed francolin has sharp spurs on the back of its legs which the use for fighting: hence the alternative name of red-billed spur fowl.