Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Yellow-necked Spurfowl

Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level II - The Herbivores - Yellow-necked Spurfowl - Page 7

Trophic Level II - The Herbivores
Yellow-necked Spurfowl
Page 7

Francolinus leucoscepus

Length: 35 cm (14")

Status: Common

Habitat: Yellow-necked spurfowl are found up to 2 500 meters (8,200 feet) in altitude. They prefer forest patches as well as bush and wooded areas.

Food: In the dry season, the yellow-necked spurfowl feeds on tubers. In the wet season, it feeds on seeds and insects.

Behavior: These two species of spurfowl illustrate how related species can adapt to slightly different environments so that they avoid direct competition. In this case, the red-necked spurfowl is found at lower elevations than the yellow-necked variety. There is also a slight difference in feeding habits and preferred habitat.

Both are chicken-like birds and feed in a chicken-like manner as they move through their environments. They peck and scratch to find food. In both species, the sexes are similar in appearance. Most of their time is spent on the ground. They are not good fliers and will fly only a short distance before landing and seeking cover.

Spurfowl are considered game birds by hunters.

Predators: Almost all of the Serengeti’s predators will take a spurfowl if they get a chance. The major predators are eagles, servals, leopards and lions.

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