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Red - winged Francolin
Afrikaans: Rooi-vlerk Patrys
Scleroptila levaillantii

Identification:
A medium bird,mottled above and streaked below. The hind neck has a bright tawny colour, the centre of the throat is white with tawny edges.
Broad speckled black and white collar. The belly is buff with chestnut streaks.
Bill is a blackish horn colour, with a yellow base.
Legs and feet yellowish brown colour.

Status:
A fairly common resident.

Habitat:
Moister montane grasslands.Usually at lower elevations than that prefered by Grey-winged Francolins.

Habits:
Normally in pairs, but sometimes in groups of up to 10.
Sits tight when alarmed, then flushes suddenly with whistling wings, flying quite far. Then glide stiff-winged before landing.
Calls early morning or late evening.

Food:
80% bulbs, 20% insects.

Voice:
A high pitched phrase, starting with 1-9 staccato notes, followed by a 3 note phrase at a higher pitch. Repeats it several times.


These photo's taken at Kgaswane Nature Reserve.

Saw this one at Ezemvelo.