Pearl frankolin
| Pearl frankolin | ||||||||||
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Pearl frankolin ( Francolinus pintadeanus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Francolinus pintadeanus | ||||||||||
| ( Scopoli , 1786) |
The Chinese Francolin ( Francolinus pintadeanus ) is a species of bird in the family of pheasant-like. It occurs in two subspecies in Southeast Asia and is closely related to the collar francolin.
Appearance
The Perlfrankolin reaches a body length of 31 to 34 centimeters. Both sexes are the same size and weigh between 284 and 397 grams. The dark basic color of the plumage with conspicuous spots on the neck is characteristic of the species. The males differ from the collar francolin in their white throat and white head.
Adult males have a dark brown crown and neck. The ear covers, chin and throat are white. A black stripe runs from the base of the beak to the neck. A stripe above runs over the eye to the neck. The neck, chest and the rest of the underside of the body are black with a striking white speckle. The rump is pale red-brown. The coat is black with white spots. The trunk and the upper tail-coverts are finely banded black and white.
Adult females have a brown crown and nape with dark stripes. The sides of the head and the neck are yellowish brown. The breast and the rest of the underside of the body are also yellowish-brown with a fine, dark-brown cross-mark. The upper side of the body is colored similar to that of the males, but the trunk and the upper tail-coverts have a rather brownish tone.
distribution and habitat
The pearl francolin are among the Asian representatives of the francoline genus . The distribution area extends from northeast India via Myanmar and the south and southeast of China to Indochina and large parts of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Pearl frankolin were also breeding birds for a time on the Philippine island of Luzon , where they were introduced. The brood population is now considered extinct. The stock that was also introduced in Mauritius , however, should still exist.
The habitat of the pearl francoline are dry, lightly forested hills. They occur regionally but also in the lowlands and in Thailand reach altitudes of up to 1,500 meters.
Way of life
Pearl francolin are very shy and attentive birds that live on the ground and immediately retreat into the undergrowth when disturbed. Usually only calling males or a family group crossing a path are observed. They usually live in pairs or in family groups. They are particularly active in the early morning or in the evening hours.
The species is considered to be monogamous. The nest is a well-hidden hollow in the ground that is laid out with grass and leaves. The clutch usually consists of four to five cream-colored or slightly olive-colored eggs. The start of breeding coincides with the beginning of the rainy season.
supporting documents
literature
- Steve Madge , Phil 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 .
Single receipts
Web links
- Francolinus pintadeanus inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2014.