Pternistis afer
A denizen of dense habitats, such as mountain forests and riverine thickets, as well as adjacent clearings in which they will forage for seeds, fruits, berries and insects, the Red-necked Spurfowl (or Francolin) is one of our most attractive game birds. Adults measure up to 40cm in length and weigh between 400 and 800g.
Red-necked Francolins are usually encountered in pairs or family groups, and often associates with the closely related Swainson’s Spurfowl with which it has been known to interbreed. Their breeding season stretches from summer to mid-winter, with nests being bare scrapes on the ground in which clutches of 3-9 eggs are laid.
The Red-necked Spurfowl is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN, though they are prone to habitat modification and destruction. They occur widely throughout central Africa, extending southwards along the Indian Ocean coast and adjacent interior to South Africa, where they have been recorded on the Mpumalanga escarpment, in the Drakensberg range and from southern Kwazulu-Natal to the Garden Route.
DeWetsWild 
Great photos of this very striking bird!!
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Thanks, Carol!
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Ek is nie goed bekend met fisante nie. Wat het van die Hoëveld se patrysies geword? Hulle en die korhane sal my altyd aan die plasslewe buite Pretoria herinner. Terwyl ek smiddae ons melkbokke laat wei het het hul altyd maar iewers uitgekom omdat ons by hul verby moes loop.
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Dit gaan eintlik goed met ons fisante en patryse, Ineke – nie eniges wat bedreig is sover ek weet nie en kom nog volop rondom die beboude dele voor.
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Dis goed om te hoor.
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Very handsome bird! Since they are in the pheasant family, are they hunted?
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They are hunted, Hien, but mainly on a subsistence basis and only in limited numbers. Habitat loss is a far greater threat to their survival.
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Wonderful coloring.
janet
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Reminds me of those exquisite feathers one sometimes see in flyfishing gear!
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A small flock of these birds have moved into the grassy area below our house – how long they will remain is anyone’s guess, but it is wonderful hearing their cheerful calls.
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One of my fondest memories from our latest visit to Giant’s Castle was being woken by these beautiful birds every morning!
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Pragtige foto’s, Dries! Dis die mooiste fisant…die ander is maar vaal.
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Ek stem heeltemal met jou saam, Dina – die ander steek maar sleg af wat deftigheid aanbetref.
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Om die een of ander rede fassineer fisante my altyd. Ons gaan oor 2 weke weer Kruger wildtuin toe, en alhoewel fisante volop in ons geweste is, bly dit vir my lekker om hulle in die wildtuin te sien.
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Hoop julle het n wonderlike tyd in die Wildtuin, Una. Waar gaan julle bly, en vir hoe lank?
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So 4 aande, Satara en Pretoriuskop. Kan alweer nie wag nie. Dis die een wegbreek plek wat my en my man se siele so goed dien. Ek weet julle sal dit verstaan.
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So na as ons aan hemel op aarde kan wees…
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That’s a good looking bird. Those breast feathers are very pretty!
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Certainly has a very eye-catching wardrobe!
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very handsome.
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Nodding in agreement, Gavin!
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