Hartlaub's Spurfowl
The Hartlaub's Spurfowl, or Hartlaub's Francolin, Pternistis hartlaubi is an endemic bird species of the escarpment zone of Namibia and Angola. Its name commemorates the German zoologist Gustav Hartlaub.
Identification
Appearance
A small, squat bird; both sexes of this species have disproportionately large bills for their size (in comparison to other Francolin species). The bare parts are mostly a dull yellow; the large bill is a brownish yellow.
Male: Strong contrast of mottled buff/brown upperparts and white underparts streaked with brown. Black forehead with white eyebrow conspicuous. Black-and-white barred undertail coverts especially diagnostic in flight. Female: Like male, but with cinnamon (not white) unstreaked underparts, grey-brown head and orange-brown eyebrow. Lacks undertail barring of male. Juvenile: Buffy forehead and brown crown tinged with rufous. Upperparts buffy grey with black and white vermiculations. Breast barred black and white, with buffy grey belly.
Male: Strong contrast of mottled buff/brown upperparts and white underparts streaked with brown. Black forehead with white eyebrow conspicuous. Black-and-white barred undertail coverts especially diagnostic in flight. Female: Like male, but with cinnamon (not white) unstreaked underparts, grey-brown head and orange-brown eyebrow. Lacks undertail barring of male. Juvenile: Buffy forehead and brown crown tinged with rufous. Upperparts buffy grey with black and white vermiculations. Breast barred black and white, with buffy grey belly.
