Djibouti Francolin
The Djibouti Francolin, Pternistis ochropectus, is one of over forty species of francolins, a group of birds in the Phasianidae family. It is critically endangered and found only in Djibouti, a nation in eastern Africa. This species is grayish-brown overall with white stripes and streaks on its underparts which become finer towards the upperparts. It has black markings on the head and a gray crown and has a short tail. It is 35 cm (1.15 ft) in length, and weighs 940 g (33 oz).
Its natural habitat is high altitude subtropical or tropical dry forests composed primarily of African juniper. However, the juniper forests preferred by the francolin are dying, so it may be found in other habitats, such as box-tree forests. This bird is only known from two locations in Djibouti, one of which is largely unsurveyed. It can be found in small groups and is extremely shy. It is known to feed on berries, seeds, and termites, and it breeds between December and February. It is considered a critically endangered species because it underwent a 90% population decline in twenty years. The degrading of its juniper habitat through man-made disturbances, such as overgrazing, is a major threat to the francolin's survival. Ongoing conservation work includes the restoration of some juniper forest, and surveys to obtain accurate population counts and to raise awareness.
Its natural habitat is high altitude subtropical or tropical dry forests composed primarily of African juniper. However, the juniper forests preferred by the francolin are dying, so it may be found in other habitats, such as box-tree forests. This bird is only known from two locations in Djibouti, one of which is largely unsurveyed. It can be found in small groups and is extremely shy. It is known to feed on berries, seeds, and termites, and it breeds between December and February. It is considered a critically endangered species because it underwent a 90% population decline in twenty years. The degrading of its juniper habitat through man-made disturbances, such as overgrazing, is a major threat to the francolin's survival. Ongoing conservation work includes the restoration of some juniper forest, and surveys to obtain accurate population counts and to raise awareness.
Taxonomy
Birds in the Phasianidae family, such as the Djibouti Francolin, are Old World ground-dwelling gamefowl, many of which are found in forests. Francolins are terrestrial birds of the that feed on insects, vegetable matter, and seeds. Most species have a hooked upper beak, tails with fourteen feathers, and in many of them the male has tarsal spurs. Of the 41 extant species, 36 are found solely in Africa.
The Djibouti Francolin was originally collected on February 22, 1952 by Captain Albospeyre, the military commander of Tadjoura in the Forêt du Day. It was then described by French ornithologists Jean Dorst and Christian Jouanin later that year as Francolinus ochropectus in L'Oiseau et la Revue française d'Ornithologie. Its specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek ochros, which means "ochre", and the Latin pectus, meaning "breast". Other authors have since proposed moving the species to other genera, including Oreocolinus and Pternistis, the latter a move proposed in a recent attempt to reorganize Francolinus, and one which would include 23 other francolins. Though some still maintain all these in Francolinus, the split into multiple genera is becoming more widespread.
The distinctness of this species has been described as weak by some authors, although its status as a full species has been maintained. It forms a superspecies with Jackson's Francolin, Handsome Francolin, Chestnut-naped Francolin, and Erckel's Francolin; it is particularly closely related to the latter two species and is intermediate to them in both location and morphological features. The Djibouti Francolin has no recognized subspecies.
This species has formerly been named as the Ochre-breasted Francolin, the Tadjoura Francolin, and the Pale-bellied Francolin. To the native people of Djibouti, it is known as the kukaaqe.
The Djibouti Francolin was originally collected on February 22, 1952 by Captain Albospeyre, the military commander of Tadjoura in the Forêt du Day. It was then described by French ornithologists Jean Dorst and Christian Jouanin later that year as Francolinus ochropectus in L'Oiseau et la Revue française d'Ornithologie. Its specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek ochros, which means "ochre", and the Latin pectus, meaning "breast". Other authors have since proposed moving the species to other genera, including Oreocolinus and Pternistis, the latter a move proposed in a recent attempt to reorganize Francolinus, and one which would include 23 other francolins. Though some still maintain all these in Francolinus, the split into multiple genera is becoming more widespread.
The distinctness of this species has been described as weak by some authors, although its status as a full species has been maintained. It forms a superspecies with Jackson's Francolin, Handsome Francolin, Chestnut-naped Francolin, and Erckel's Francolin; it is particularly closely related to the latter two species and is intermediate to them in both location and morphological features. The Djibouti Francolin has no recognized subspecies.
This species has formerly been named as the Ochre-breasted Francolin, the Tadjoura Francolin, and the Pale-bellied Francolin. To the native people of Djibouti, it is known as the kukaaqe.
