Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema)

Other Names (World)
Moorland Francolin, Montane Francolin, Shoa Francolin, Elgon Francolin (elgonensis)

Family
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys, Grouse)

Size
32 - 35 cm

First Described (Guide)
Gray, 1867

Habitat
Subtropical and tropical montane moist forest, high altitude grasslandand shrubland. From 1,800 - 4,000 m.

Range (Guide)

Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda.

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status NT
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Voice
Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (4)...)

Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) [XC306587]
by id from Sanetti Plateau, Bale Mnts, Oromia, Ethiopia (flight call)

Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) [XC210009]
by Andrew Spencer from Sanetti Plateau, Ethiopia (song)

Subspecies
Forms superspecies with Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) and Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis). Recently proposed reorganization of Francolinus places present species in genus Scleroptila with Ring-necked Francolin (Scleroptila streptophora), Finsch's Francolin (Scleroptila finschi), Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii), Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi) and Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis). Has been considered conspecific with Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra).

Other subspecies have been described, but validity doubtful: ellenbecki included in nominate psilolaemus; and theresae in elgonensis. Subspecies elgonensis has been considered separate species, or subspecies of Shelley's Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi).

The following 2 subspecies are recognised:

psilolaema Gray, 1867 - Montane moorlands of central and southern Ethiopia.
elgonensis (Ogilvie-Grant, 1891) - Eastern Uganda to central Kenya. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Elgon Francolin (Scleroptila elgonensis).

References
See References.

Files:

JPG files for Moorland Francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema) - 10 files

More Information

BirdLife International

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BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

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