Yellow-necked Francolin

(Francolinus leucoscepus)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Other Names: Pternistis leucoscepus, Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Yellow-throated Francolin

Range: Eastern Africa.

Subspecies: The races and geograpical variation of this species is debated. In the past, a number of races have been described, but recent data eliminates those and places this species into monotypic status.

Habitat: Arid Grasslands.

Description: Both sexes share the bare yellow throat-patch for which the species is named; the plumage of neck, breast and lower abdomen steaked with white, buff and brown; backside and tail mostly brown; red facial skin; legs brownish-black. Males are slightly larger and carry two spurs (females mostly spurless).

Status in Wild: Locally common and perhaps the most often seen francolin in east Africa.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: This species has gone through cycles of popularity in American aviculture. In the 1940s through the 1960s, Yellow-necked Francolin were readily available and affordable for most aviculturists. However, inbreeding and lack of interest caused a sharp decline in the captive number for the next three decades. New imporations in the late 1990s has once again helped gain interest in this species and hopefully, there will be some responsible aviculturists that will help preserve this species for future generations.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1, Jan Harteman.

• Johnsgard, P.A. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Robbins, G.E.S. 1998. Partridges & Francolins, their Conservation, Breeding & Management. World Pheasant Association.
• Sinclair, I., Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa, South of the Sahara. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Francolinus leucoscepus Images - Images of this species located at the Phasianidae group on flickr.
• Wikipedia - Yellow-necked Francolin - Wikipedia's species page.
• Yellow-necked Francolin - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds