Birdsong field guide
Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
A medium-sized, ground-dwelling gamebird easily recognized by its habit of cocking its tail upward like a bantam chicken.
What it sounds like
A loud, strident, and repetitive 'kiri-kiri-kiri' or 'tre-kerek-kerek', frequently performed as a synchronized duet.
Field notes
- It possesses a distinctive bold white supercilium (eyebrow) and a dark brown crown.
- Unlike most francolins, it regularly roosts in trees or thick shrubs at night to avoid terrestrial predators.
- When threatened, it is more likely to run into dense cover than to take flight.
- It is often found in small, stable family parties or monogamous pairs.
- Its diet is highly varied, consisting of seeds, fallen fruits, and insects such as termites and ants.
Habitat
Dry savanna, acacia woodlands, and thickets, usually near permanent water sources.
Range
Eastern and Southern Africa, ranging from Ethiopia and Somalia to northern South Africa.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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