Erckel'S Spurfowl
ExploreBirds
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
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Double-Spurred Defense
Males possess two sharp spurs on each leg used for territorial defense and fighting rivals.
Ability
Agile Hill Climber
Exhibits powerful running capabilities, allowing it to quickly sprint up steep, rocky terrain to escape threats.
Ability
Vocal Sentinel
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
- Top 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?
The easiest way to identify Erckel'S Spurfowl is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
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.
Where is Erckel'S Spurfowl usually found?
Found in rocky mountain slopes, high-altitude shrublands, forest edges, and upland pastures.
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