Least Concern Birds

Crested Francolin

Ortygornis sephaena

Ground bird with crest, feeding on seeds and insects in savannas and valleys.

Scientific name	Ortygornis sephaena
Swahili name	Kokoto wa kichwa
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Galliformes
Family	Phasianidae
Size	Male: approximately 0.3-0.4 kg; Female: approximately 0.3-0.4 kg

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How to identify

Distinct crest feathers on the crown; body plumage is brown with markings; throat and chest have fine dense spots; tail feathers are short and rounded; legs are strong, adapted for ground activity.

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, bushes, open forests, and areas near river valleys.

Diet

Omnivorous, primarily feeding on seeds, insects, small invertebrates, and tender plant leaves.

When it is active

Diurnal, mainly active in early morning and late afternoon.

Where it lives

Distributed in eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe; commonly found in Kenya’s Maasai Mara region.

How to spot it

Look for them at the edges of bushes or grasslands at dawn or dusk, listen for their short calls; use binoculars to observe without disturbing.

Photography tips

Photograph using natural light in early morning or late afternoon; choose low angles to capture crest details; use a telephoto lens to maintain distance and avoid flushing the bird.

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation; agricultural expansion and human disturbance.

Similar species

Similar to the common francolin but with a more prominent crest and more mottled plumage; distinguished from other members of the genus by body size and crest shape.

📖 how to spot the crested francolin on safari