Francolin Families

We were really surprised at all the Swainson’s and Natal Spurfowl (both formerly known as francolins) families with tiny chicks that we encountered during our recent visits to the Kruger National Park in May and June, supposedly well into our austral winter (and dry) season.

Natal Spurfowl hen

Immature Natal Spurfowl

Natal Spurfowl hen with chicks

Natal Spurfowl chicks

Natal Spurfowl hen with chick

Natal Spurfowl chick

Swainson’s Spurfowl hen with her brood

Immature Swainson’s Spurfowl

22 thoughts on “Francolin Families”

aj vosse August 7, 2019 at 9:47 am

Winter?? I’d also prosper if I was a francolin in that warm winter! 😉

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de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 7, 2019 at 10:24 am

And this year winter seems to have skipped us entirely. Yesterday the temperature in Skukuza was 37-Celsius, predicted for tomorrow is 38-Celsius!

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1. aj vosse August 7, 2019 at 11:03 am
  
  Whooppee… lekker warm! 😉
2. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 7, 2019 at 12:04 pm
  
  Maak my geworried oor my kampplanne in Desember!
3. aj vosse August 7, 2019 at 6:23 pm
  
  Moenie worrie nie… voor jy kan dink mes kom aarde verkoeling en die volgende ys-eeu!! 😉
4. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 7, 2019 at 6:39 pm
  
  Dan worry ek weer oor die ysbere wat jou jag daar in Ierland…
5. aj vosse August 7, 2019 at 7:32 pm
  
  Nee… moenie oor my worrie nie… dit gaan net in die suidelike halfrond ys… hier gaan dit tropies word!! 😉
6. de Wets Wild Post authorAugust 7, 2019 at 8:09 pm
  
  Dan word Ierland Tierland!
7. aj vosse August 7, 2019 at 8:12 pm
  
  Wha ha HA!! Wat was daai oeroue goed… oo ja, sabre teeth!! 😲😲

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Aletta - nowathome July 21, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Ons het ‘n Cape Spurfowl paar hier in ons tuin gehad wat besluit het dat dit die perfekte plek vir die nes is. Gelukkig was die nes goed weggesteek en sy het al 7 kuikens na ‘n paar dae hier weggelei.

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de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 21, 2019 at 6:34 pm

Wat n wonderlike voorreg, Aletta!

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1. Aletta - nowathome July 21, 2019 at 7:25 pm
  
  👍

naturebackin July 18, 2019 at 9:58 pm

Lovely to see the little ones too. I am always amazed at the most exquisite barring and markings on the feathers of these birds.

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de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 19, 2019 at 3:45 am

The feathers are lovely indeed!

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T Ibara Photo July 15, 2019 at 11:28 am

“Little balls of fluff with enormous heads” – I could not help but laugh when reading your comment 😀 What adorable fluffballs they are!

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de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 16, 2019 at 3:48 am

Our little wild chickens really are a joy to behold when they’re small. Thank you very much, Takami!

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1. T Ibara Photo July 16, 2019 at 4:15 am
  
  And they are beautiful as full-grown birds too! 😀