Red Spurfowl

The Red Spurfowl, a member of the pheasant family, is a bird that exudes an aura of mystery in its forest abode. With a reddish hue reminiscent of a long-tailed partridge, this bird carries the elegance of its lineage. The bare skin that graces the area around its eye is a striking reddish color, and both males and females boast one or two spurs on their legs, a trait that has lent them their name.

Identification Tips

Upon encountering the Red Spurfowl, one is struck by its overall reddish-brown plumage, akin to a large partridge. The male's upper parts are adorned with brown and dark barring, while the face and neck take on a more greyish tone. The underside is a rich rufous with dark markings. Both sexes are distinguished by a red facial skin patch and red legs, which may feature up to four spurs, although females sometimes have none. The downy chicks present with an unmarked cinnamon brown head and a dark brown band along the back, bordered by creamy stripes edged with thin lines of dark brown.

Habitat

This species thrives in scrub, dry and moist-deciduous forests, often favoring hilly terrains. They have a particular affinity for areas with dense undergrowth, such as those overtaken by the invasive Lantana.

Distribution

The Red Spurfowl is endemic to India, found south of the Ganges and across the country, with a distribution that includes west Nepal and north, central, and south India.

Behaviour

The Red Spurfowl typically forages in small groups, and when disturbed, it may exhibit a tail posture vertical to the ground, reminiscent of domestic fowl. They maintain well-defined territories year-round and roost in trees.

Song & Calls

Their vocal repertoire includes a distinctive 'ker-wick…kerwick…' and harsh 'karr…karrr…' notes, which have inspired the Marathi name Kokatri, echoing the bird's calls.

Breeding

The breeding season spans from January to June, peaking before the monsoon rains. The Red Spurfowl nests on the ground, laying 3-5 eggs in a scrape. While males do not incubate, they are monogynous and may engage in protective behaviors to distract predators from females and chicks.

Similar Species

The Red Spurfowl may be confused with other partridge-like birds, but its distinctive call, reddish plumage, and red facial skin patch set it apart.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of fallen seeds, berries, mollusks, and insects, supplemented by grit to aid in digestion.

Conservation status

The Red Spurfowl is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.