Least Concern Birds

Red-throated Francolin

Pternistis afer

A ground bird of grassy and bushy habitats, marked by vivid red throat skin and warm brown streaking below.

Scientific name	Pternistis afer
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Galliformes
Family	Phasianidae
Size	Length about 30-38 cm; weight about 400-700 g

See this species in the app

How to identify

Ground-dwelling francolin with bright red bare throat skin, often extending onto the neck, warm brown streaked underparts, and heavily patterned upperparts; usually seen running through cover.

Habitat

Moister grassland, woodland edge, thickets, and scrubby forest margins across eastern and southern Africa

Diet

Omnivorous, taking seeds, berries, fallen fruit, green shoots, insects, and other small invertebrates

When it is active

Diurnal, often feeding in the morning and late afternoon while staying close to cover

Where it lives

Widespread in eastern and southern Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa depending on subspecies

How to spot it

Listen for loud calls at first light and watch grassy edges and woodland margins; birds usually slip away on foot into cover before they flush

Photography tips

Photograph from a respectful distance with a telephoto lens near cover; soft light after sunrise or before sunset brings out the red throat and warm brown barring

Threats

Habitat conversion, local hunting, and frequent disturbance near farmland, though overall populations remain stable

Similar species

Similar to the Yellow-throated Francolin, but the Red-throated Francolin has red throat skin, warmer brown streaking below, and prefers denser grass and woodland edge habitats

📖 how to spot the red throated francolin on safari