Scleroptila gutturalis
The Orange River Francolin is a ground-living bird that inhabits open, flat and often arid grasslands, where it feeds on a wide range of plant material and invertebrates. In South Africa their distribution centres on Gauteng, the Free State and North West, extending marginally into adjacent provinces. On the African continent there’s two widely separated populations, one in Southern Africa and the other in North-East Africa, which are considered by some authorities to be separate species entirely. According to the IUCN the species is of least concern, though agricultural practices may have a severely negative impact on populations in farming areas.
Orange River Francolins are shy birds and difficult to observe, although their loud crowing often gives away their presence. They’re usually seen in pairs – they’re monogamous and territorial – or in small family groups. These francolins may nest at any time of year in response to rainfall, with the female incubating a clutch of up to 8 eggs in a little hollow she scrapes in the ground surrounded by dense grass. The hatchlings emerge after a 3 week incubation and leave the nest soon after. They grow quickly and start making practice flights even before they’re 2 weeks old! Fully grown they measure about 34cm in length and weigh approximately 400g.
DeWetsWild 