Hartlaub's Spurfowl

The Hartlaub's spurfowl, a diminutive and sexually dimorphic member of the pheasant family, is the smallest African spurfowl. Males, with an average length of 28 cm and a weight range of 245-290 g, are adorned with a dark brownish forehead, a striking white eyestripe, and rufous ear coverts. Their upperparts are a mottled brown-grey with darker bars and streaks, while their underparts are a pale grey with pronounced dark streaking. The females, slightly smaller at approximately 25 cm in length and weighing 210-240 g, display similar upperparts but have a dull rufous head, neck, and underparts without the brown streaking seen in males. Both sexes boast disproportionately large bills, with the male's upper mandible being brownish and the lower yellow, and legs of a vibrant yellow hue, complete with flattened spurs.

Identification Tips

To identify the Hartlaub's spurfowl, look for the male's distinctive white eyestripe and the female's rufous underparts. Both sexes have large bills and yellow legs, but the male's plumage is more streaked. Juvenile males resemble adult males but with finer streaking, while young females are akin to adult females.

Habitat

This species thrives in medium-altitude arid and semiarid regions, from 800 to 1,600 meters above sea level. It favors higher ground, particularly rocky granite and sandstone outcrops, amidst semidesert steppe landscapes, often accompanied by dense grass and shrubbery.

Distribution

The Hartlaub's spurfowl is endemic to southwest Africa, specifically in northcentral to northwestern Namibia and a small portion of southwestern Angola.

Behaviour

Hartlaub's spurfowls are perennially territorial, with pairs establishing their domain through antiphonal duets at boundary call sites. They are not easily flushed, preferring to remain hidden among boulders, and when disturbed, they may emit a rapid 'krak' while taking flight.

Song & Calls

The antiphonal duets of territorial pairs are unique, with the female's vocal elements being temporally and structurally distinct. These duets are most frequent shortly after sunrise. Un-mated females call more often than paired birds, especially around sunrise and sunset.

Breeding

Hartlaub's spurfowl exhibit a female-dominated resource defense monogamy, with females vigorously defending territory to ensure male visitation and fertilization. The pair bond is reinforced by unique behaviors, including antiphonal duetting and reverse mounting during courtship and incubation.

Diet and Feeding

Males have a more varied diet, while females specialize in digging for corms of Cyperus spp. Both sexes forage primarily on granitic outcrops, employing different feeding techniques that reflect their sexual dimorphism.

Conservation status

With an estimated population of around 26,000 birds in Namibia, the Hartlaub's spurfowl is not considered common but is not currently threatened, largely due to its habitat being of little commercial value to humans. However, granite mining poses a potential risk to their environment. Despite being gamebirds, their small size diminishes their culinary appeal.

Similar Species

The red-billed spurfowl and the Orange River francolin share the range with Hartlaub's spurfowl but inhabit different niches. The red-billed spurfowl prefers bushy areas near watercourses, while the Orange River francolin is found on slopes leading to the rocky outcrops favored by Hartlaub's spurfowl.