letting nature back in

Although they are predominantly brown, there is nothing drab about crested francolins plumage. Their intricately patterned plumage serves to provide effective camouflage for these terrestrial birds. They are named for the dark crest on the head, but as that is only occasionally raised the most noticeable feature is the broad white eyestripe.

I have mostly seen crested francolins (Ortygornis sephaena) in small family groups, comprising a breeding pair and their young. In the photo above, part of such a group is scratching and pecking for insects in a pile of dung (probably elephant dung) next to the road in Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park in Kwa-Zulu Natal, which is at the most southerly part of their range in South Africa.

We have sometimes seen them crossing the road while walking at a sedate pace, such as the one in the photo above (photo taken through the windscreen), or else scurrying across the road to the safety of concealing vegetation on the verge. Some descriptions of crested francolins compare them to chickens or bantams, partly because of their size and also because they have a habit of cocking their tails, and also, I guess, they are like chickens because they too cross the road to get to the other side!

This crested francolin paused next to the road with a small family group long enough for me to take this photo showing the bold chevron pattern on the chest, and the red legs that are more typical of spurfowls. One other thing that crested francolins have in common with spurfowls is that they roost at night in trees or shrubs, whereas most francolins will remain on the ground even at night.

Being terrestrial birds, crested francolins forage on the ground not only for invertebrates (mostly insects), but they also eat plant material, especially in the winter months, that includes shoots, leaves, seeds, fruits and berries as well as corms and bulbs. They use their strong legs and feet to dig and scratch to uncover food items as they forage.

Although terrestrial they can fly, typically taking to the air when startled, usually at the last moment with a sudden burst of wing beats and a loud screech.

If one slows one’s vehicle to take a closer look, more often than not, the birds will duck into the vegetation on the side of the road and rapidly disappear from view, as this francolin with chicks is about to do. The chicks are precocial and area able to leave the nest about 2 hours after hatching. They are looked after by both parents.

When encountering crested francolins in nature reserves in KwaZulu-Natal we had mostly seen them walking or foraging in family groups near the road. So, on a visit to Kruger National Park, we were charmed to see this pair companionably nestled together in a comfy spot while they indulged in a bit of dust bathing.

Crested francolins form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which is October to March in South Africa. Preferring scrubby savanna and open woodlands, crested francolins hide their nests on the ground in the cover of surrounding vegetation. The actual nest is a scrape in the ground lined with grass and leaves.  The 3-7 eggs in a clutch are incubated for about three weeks by the female.

Crested francolins occur only in Africa, down the eastern side from Ethiopia in the north and southwards to Zululand in South Africa, extending further west in southern Africa through Zimbabwe to northern Namibia. Given its large range and that it survives in a diversity of habitats, from open woodland to shrubby grassland, I am happy to report that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessment of the status of the crested francolin is listed as Least Concern.

Even while ostensibly relaxing the pair were regularly cocking their heads to keep an eye on the sky above. No wonder, as the main predators of crested francolins are several species of raptor.

Francolins and spurfowls (more about spurfowls in my forthcoming next post) are known for their loud territorial calls. Bird expert Faansie Peacock (his real name!) describes them as the alarm clocks of the bush. Click here and scroll down to the image of a crested francolin to hear a recording of their call.

I end this post with a short video of the pair of crested francolins engaged in dust bathing, a process that they seem to really enjoy.

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Sources:

🔖BirdLife International. 2016. Ortygornis sephaena. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22678752A92787092. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678752A92787092.en. Accessed on 05 August 2026.🔖Robertson, Hamish. [n.d.] Dendroperdix sephaena (Crested francolin). Biodiversity Explorer: The web of life in southern Africa. https://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/phasianidae/dendroperdix_sephaena.htm🔖Bath, Barry. 2022. What is the Difference between Francolins and Spurfowls? July 7, Londolozi Blog. https://blog.londolozi.com/2022/07/07/what-is-the-difference-between-francolins-and-spurfowls/🔖Peacock, Faansie/Firefinch App. [n.d.] Alarm Clocks of the Bush (Spurfowl and Francolin Calls). https://faansiepeacock.com/francolins/

Posted by Carol