Erckel'S Spurfowl

pternistis erckelii

Erckel's Spurfowl is a striking, terrestrial game bird native to the rugged highlands of Northeast Africa, but famously introduced and established in the Hawaiian Islands. This chunky bird is well-known for its loud, distinctive cackling calls that echo across rocky slopes and mountain shrublands during the early morning. Extremely hardy, it spends most of its time on the ground, masterfully navigating dense underbrush and steep terrain with its strong legs.

Habitat: Found in rocky mountain slopes, high-altitude shrublands, forest edges, and upland pastures.

Appearance

This large, stocky spurfowl is distinguished by its rich chestnut crown and nape, contrasting with a white throat and heavily streaked gray-brown plumage. Its underparts feature bold brown and white vertical streaks, while its legs are a bright dull yellow to orange-yellow, with males possessing two sharp, prominent spurs on each leg. It has a heavy black bill and reaches a length of about 38 to 43 centimeters.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGalliformesFamilyPhasianidaeGenusPternistis

Photo: Melissa McMastersCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

Erckel'S Spurfowl

Interesting facts

The species was successfully introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in 1957 as a game bird and has thrived in drier highland ecosystems.

When startled, they prefer to run uphill rather than fly, utilizing their strong, muscular legs to outpace predators.

While most spurfowls have one spur per leg, male Erckel's spurfowls uniquely have two sharp spurs, earning them their common name.

Special abilities

Males possess two sharp spurs on each leg used for territorial defense and fighting rivals.

Exhibits powerful running capabilities, allowing it to quickly sprint up steep, rocky terrain to escape threats.

Emits a loud, harsh, cackling laugh that serves to define territory and warn family groups of predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 38+ cm
Wingspan: 50+ cm
Weight: 0.6+ kg
Lifespan: 5+ years
Speed: 40 km/h
Clutch Size: 4+
Incubation: 21+ days
Migration Distance: 0 km

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on a wide variety of seeds, berries, shoots, and small invertebrates by scratching the leaf litter and soil.

Primary Foods

Grass seeds
Berries
Insects
Shoots
Tubers

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Hawaiian Hawk

Buteo solitarius

Preyed upon by the endemic Hawaiian Hawk in its introduced montane habitat.

Eaten by

Feral Cat

Felis catus

Foraged upon by feral cats, which pose a threat to nesting spurfowls and chicks.

Competitor

Grey Francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus

Competes for food and nesting space with other introduced game birds.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Erckel'S Spurfowl?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Erckel'S Spurfowl?

38+ cm

What is Erckel'S Spurfowl's wingspan?

50+ cm

How much does Erckel'S Spurfowl weigh?

0.6+ kg

How long does Erckel'S Spurfowl live?

5+ years

How fast can Erckel'S Spurfowl move?

40 km/h

What does Erckel'S Spurfowl eat?

Feeds on a wide variety of seeds, berries, shoots, and small invertebrates by scratching the leaf litter and soil.