Tag Archives: Red-billed Spurfowl

Red-billed Spurfowl

Pternistis adspersus

The Red-billed Spurfowl is a game bird that is found in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, and only marginally in South Africa’s North West and Northern Cape Provinces. They inhabit dry savanna habitats, often near water courses, and feed mainly on seeds and berries, with insects and other invertebrates making up a lesser percentage of their intake. They are generally very confiding around humans, especially in camp sites.

Outside of the breeding season Red-billed Spurfowls can be found in groups of up to 20. They nest in shallow scrapes among bushes or clumps of grass and may breed at anytime of year, often in response to rainfall. The female incubates the clutch of 3-10 eggs over a 3 week period. Fully grown they weigh up to half-a-kilogram and measure about 37cm in length.

The IUCN considers the Red-billed Spurfowl to be of least concern.