General

Black Francolin: Plump gamebird, male is mainly black below and golden brown above. Head is black with rufous-brown or tan crown and nape, rufous collar and white cheek patches. Brown scalloped back and wings. Lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts are black with fine white bars. Breast and flanks black with white spots. Female is similar but dull with no cheekpatch, and collar is replaced with a nuchal patch. Head and underparts are buff where the male shows black. Rump and uppertail coverts light brown. Juvenile resembles female, paler overall.

Range and Habitat

Black Francolin: Game bird introduced and established on Molokai, Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Lanai and Kauai. Prefers areas of thick vegetation, usually near water.

Breeding and Nesting

Black Francolin: Three to eight white-spotted, olive-brown to brown eggs are laid in a shallow scrape on bare ground. Incubation is carried out by the female for 18 to 21 days. Both parents tend chicks after hatching. Young stay with parents through their first winter.

Foraging and Feeding

Black Francolin: Forages on the ground and eats a wide variety of seeds and insects. May also eat small amphibians, reptiles, earthworms, and spiders.

Vocalization

Black Francolin: Male sings a mechanical "kik-kik-kik", his territorial call is a loud and grating "kwee-kweeeee-kwee".

Similar Species

Black Francolin: Gray Francolin has gray-brown and buff body, buff instead of black throat, and lacks rufous collar.