Campocolinus coqui
At a weight of about 250g and measuring about 24cm in length, Coqui Francolins are the smallest of their family occurring in South Africa. They’re widespread in the north of our country – from northern Kwazulu-Natal through Mpumalanga and Gauteng to Limpopo and the North West – but aren’t commonly encountered anywhere due to their shy nature (relying mostly on their camouflage and remaining perfectly still and close to the ground when danger is perceived). Beyond South Africa’s borders their distribution range extends patchily as far as Senegal and the IUCN considers the species to be of least concern. They’re found in savanna and woodland vegetation types with a well developed grass layer and feed on a wide variety of plant material and invertebrates. They form small flocks of up to 12 birds when not breeding.
Coqui Francolins nest at the end of the rainy season, when grass is lush and seeds are in ample supply. The nest is little more than a shallow hollow scraped in thick vegetation and lined with soft materials in which the female incubates a clutch of up to 6 eggs.
Their name is an imitation of their characteristic call.
DeWetsWild 
How fortunate you were to both see and photograph these lovely birds. I don’t recall ever having seen one.
A rare but special treat when you get to see them, Carol
Ek weet nie hoekom ek aan ‘n musiek instrument gedink het toe ek die naam van die voëltjie gesien het nie (dalk omdat dit naby aan ‘n ‘violin’ is). Ek kan sien dat hulle baie goed met kamoeflering is … welgedaan dat jy hulle dus so netjies kon afneem.
Ek is altyd opgewonde wanneer ons hierdie mooi patrysies raakloop!
Very handsome Francolin!
I think so too, Hien!
It is lovely to see these birds in your fine photographs 🙂
Thank you very much, Anne!