The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Swainson's Spurfowl / Francolin
Afrikaans name: Bosveldfisant
Above - Swainson's Spurfowl with chicks
Photo © Steven Herbert
Pternistis swainsonii
Swainson’s Spurfowl used to be known as Swainson’s Francolin. Spurfowl and Francolin’s are usually quite nervous birds but some, like the Swainson’s Spurfowl, become quite tame in game reserves such as Kruger National Park.
These birds spend most of their time on the ground but they roost in trees. They may be seen singly, in pairs or small flocks.
Swainson’s Spurfowl feed off a variety of things found on the ground. These include seeds, insects, berries, bulbs and roots.
Male Swainson’s Spurfowl grow to a length of around 38 cm and females to about 33 cm. Males weigh around 700 grams and females 500 grams.
The nest is made in a depression on the ground. It is lined with dry grass. Up to 12 eggs may be laid.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 185 | Pternistis swainsoni swainsoni |
| 2nd | 185 | Pternistis swainsoni |
| 3rd | 185 | Pternistis swainsonii |
| 4th | 185 | Pternistis swainsonii |
| 5th | 199 | Francolinus swainsonii |
| 6th | 199 | Francolinus swainsonii |
| 7th | 14 | Pternistis swainsonii |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 185 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 2nd | 185 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 3rd | 185 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 4th | 185 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 5th | 199 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 6th | 199 | Swainson's Francolin |
| 7th | 14 | Swainson’s Spurfowl |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 185 | Bosveld-fisant |
| 2nd | 185 | Bosveldfisant |
| 3rd | 185 | Bosveldfisant |
| 4th | 185 | Bosveldfisant |
| 5th | 199 | Bosveldfisant |
| 6th | 199 | Bosveldfisant |
| 7th | 14 | Bosveldfisant |
References and further reading
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 70The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 46
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 39
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 74
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 109
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 138
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 62
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 132
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 174
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 178
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 131
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 123
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 22
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 97
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 144
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 144
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 94
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 43
Gamebirds of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1967 - Page: 132
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 29
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 74
Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 109
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 23
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 70
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 58
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 27
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 91
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 71
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 159
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 159
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 89
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