Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) [XC516151]
by Tony Archer from Polokwane Game Reserve, Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa (song)
Natal Spurfowl (Pternistis natalensis) [XC484896]
by Frank Lambert from Klerksdorp, Southern DC, North West, South Africa (alarm call)
Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Hildebrandt's Francolin (Pternistis hildebrandti), with which occasional hybridization has been reported. Has at times been placed in genus Chaetopus, or alternatively in Notocolinus. Recently proposed reorganization of Francolinus places present species in genus Pternistis with 23 other species.
Subspecies proposed at various times, such as neavei, but variation clinal and validity of subspecies not supported. Hybridizes with Swainson's Francolin (Pternistis swainsonii) in western Zimbabwe.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
neavei (Mackworth-Praed, 1920) - Southern Zambia, western Mozambique.
natalensis (Smith, A, 1833) - Zambia and Mozambique to Cape Province.