Pternistis
| Pternistis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scaly francolin | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Subfamily: | Perdicinae |
| Genus: | Pternistis Wagler, 1832 |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Francolinus | |
Pternistis is a genus of galliform birds formerly classified in the francolin group of the partridge subfamily of the pheasant family. They are described as "partridge-francolins" in literature establishing their phylogenetic placement outside of the monophyletic assemblage of true francolins. Its 23 species range through Sub-Saharan Africa. They are commonly known as francolins or spurfowl but are closely related to jungle bush quail, Alectoris rock partridges and Coturnix quail. The species are strictly monogamous, remaining mated indefinitely. They procure most of their food by digging. Partridge-francolins subsist almost entirely on roots, beans of leguminous shrubs and trees, tubers, seed, feasting opportunistically on termites, ants, locusts, flowers and fruit. Important predators are jackals, caracals, servals and birds of prey, as well as herons and marabou storks.
Species
The species are:[1]
- Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
- Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis
- Grey-striped francolin, Pternistis griseostriatus
- Hildebrandt's francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti
- Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
- Heuglin's francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus
- Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
- Harwood's francolin, Pternistis harwoodi
- Swierstra's francolin, Pternistis swierstrai
- Mount Cameroon francolin, Pternistis camerunensis
- Handsome francolin, Pternistis nobilis
- Jackson's francolin, Pternistis jacksoni
- Chestnut-naped francolin, Pternistis castaneicollis
- Djibouti francolin, Pternistis ochropectus
- Erckel's francolin, Pternistis erckelii
- Hartlaub's spurfowl, Pternistis hartlaubi
- Red-billed spurfowl, Pternistis adspersus
- Cape spurfowl, Pternistis capensis
- Natal spurfowl, Pternistis natalensis
- Yellow-necked spurfowl, Pternistis leucoscepus
- Grey-breasted spurfowl, Pternistis rufopictus
- Red-necked spurfowl, Pternistis afer
- Swainson's spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii
References
- ↑ Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). (2013). "IOC World Bird List (v 3.5).". International Ornithologists’ Union. doi:10.14344/IOC.ML.3.5. Retrieved 2013-12-29.