Shelley's francolin

Francolinus shelleyi

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.