PhasianidaeFrancolinus

Black Francolin

Francolinus francolinus

34–34 cmMedium
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
No crest

Resident. N subcontinent. Male has black face with white ear - covert patch, rufous collar, and black underparts with white spotting on flanks. Female from female Painted Francolin by rufous hind neck, dark stripe behind eye, streaked (rather than spotted) appearance to mantle, and dark-barred rather than white-spotted appearance to underparts (although underparts can be similar to Painted). Shows blackish tail in flight. Requires good ground cover and water close by. Active early morning and late afternoon. Cultivation, tea estates, tall grass and scrub in plains and hills.

Colour

BlackWhiteRufous / Red-brown
Average size
34 cm
Habitat
Cultivation, tea estates, tall grass and scrub in plains and hills.
Behaviour
Resident., Requires good ground cover and water close by. Active early morning and late afternoon.

About this bird

Resident. N subcontinent. Male has black face with white ear - covert patch, rufous collar, and black underparts with white spotting on flanks. Female from female Painted Francolin by rufous hind neck, dark stripe behind eye, streaked (rather than spotted) appearance to mantle, and dark-barred rather than white-spotted appearance to underparts (although underparts can be similar to Painted). Shows blackish tail in flight. Requires good ground cover and water close by. Active early morning and late afternoon. Cultivation, tea estates, tall grass and scrub in plains and hills.

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Black Francolin is bigger than Common Kestrel but smaller than Slavonian Grebe.