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 