Cameroon Frankolin
| Cameroon Frankolin | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Francolinus camerunensis | ||||||||||
| Alexander , 1909 |
The Cameroon Frankolin ( Francolinus camerunensis ), also known as the Cameroon Mountain Frankolin , is a monotypical species of bird of the genus Frankoline from the pheasant-like family . The species is found only on the north and south-eastern slopes of Mount Cameroon and is one of the least explored species within the genus. The stock situation of the species is indicated with en (= endangered - strongly endangered). The population is estimated at fewer than 1700 sexually mature individuals.
features
Cameroon francolins reach a body length of up to 33 centimeters, the males are slightly larger than the females. Both sexes weigh around 510 grams. There is a pronounced gender dimorphism .
The male is brown on the forehead and crown, while the feathers above the eyes and on the cheeks are gray, each with a dark center. The sides of the neck, the back of the neck and the upper coat are similarly feathered. These springs also have a black spring shaft. The rest of the top of the body as well as the wings, the tail and the under-tail-covers are brown. The ear covers are gray-brown, the chin and throat are dirty white with a dark gray feathers center. The goiter and the chest are gray with a black center that takes the form of a broadened shaft stripe towards the end of the feather. The central abdomen is slightly lighter in feathering, the sides of the body, the flanks and thighs, on the other hand, are brown with black feather shafts. The arm and hand wings are solid gray-brown.
The female has predominantly brown plumage on the upper side of the body including the wings and tail. The individual feathers are spotted and banded black and also have an irregular isabel-colored shaft stripe. The throat and cheeks are dirty white, the individual feathers have a blackish center. The chest, the sides of the body and the flanks are black, the individual feathers each have two white bands. The belly plumage is light brown, the individual feathers each have a white center. The juveniles are reminiscent of the female, but their lower body is not speckled, but striped. The beak , legs and feet as well as the eye area are bright red. The females have no spur while the males have one or two.
The voice of the Cameroonian Franconian is very distinctive, its calls consist of a very high triple whistle.
distribution and habitat
The Cameroon Frankolin is native only to Cameroon , where it lives exclusively on the southeastern and northeastern slopes of Mount Cameroon . Lately only a few couples have been spotted.
The Cameroon Frankolin lives in dense undergrowth in primary forests and clearings at an altitude of 850–2,100 m. However, it also seems to accept secondary forests as habitat and has even been observed in savannah areas caused by forest fires .
While periodically occurring bush and forest fires represent a natural danger on Mount Cameroon and lava flows escape about every 20 years , the increasingly frequent slash and burn of the grasslands is the greatest threat to this rare species. This affects both the natural habitat and the eggs and Young birds destroyed. The hunting is threatening the bird. The destruction of its habitat is much more serious: forest fires occur more and more on the south-eastern slopes, clearings are spreading, especially on the east side of the mountain, and rob it of its natural retreats.
Way of life
The Cameroon Frankolin is a shy bird that is difficult to watch. It lives mostly in pairs or small groups in the dense undergrowth and only comes to dust-bathing in open areas. When disturbed, he usually tries to escape on foot. However, it is reported that he will fly into trees when pursued by dogs.
It feeds on berries , grass seeds and insects and breeds during the dry season . The eggs are laid between October and December.
attitude
The Cameroon Frankolin was first kept outside of its distribution area by the Berlin Zoo in 1938. However, the zoo was only able to acquire a single individual that could be cared for until 1940.
literature
- Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A .; Sargatal, J. (2001) Handbook of the Birds of the World Volume 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl . Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-15-6
- Steve Madge , Philip McGowan and Guy M. Kirwan : Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails and Sandgrouse of the world. Christopher Helm, London 2002, ISBN 0-7136-3966-0 .
- Heinz-Sigurd Raethel : Chicken birds of the world. Natur Verlag, Weltbild Verlag, Augsburg 1991, ISBN 3-89440-440-X .
Web links
- Pternistis camerunensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed September 3, 2016th
- Cameroon Frankolin at Birdlife
- Cameroon Frankolin on Avibase
Single receipts
- ↑ Cameroon Frankolin on Avibase , accessed September 3, 2016.
- ↑ a b c Madge, McGowan and Kirwan: Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse . P. 226.
- ↑ Pternistis camerunensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed September 3, 2016th
- ↑ a b c d Raethel: Hühnervögel der Welt , p. 406.
- ↑ Madge, McGowan and Kirwan: Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse . P. 227.