General

Erckel's Francolin: Introduced to Hawaii in 1957. Gray-brown overall with heavy streaks. Chestnut cap, black eye-stripe and forehead, gray cheeks, light buff to white throat. Gray back, tail and wings have fine brown bars. Black bill, yellow-gray legs and feet. Males have two sets of spurs on each leg. Sexes are similar, females lack spurs or have only one set. Juveniles are lighter gray above with buff streaks on their back.

Range and Habitat

Erckel's Francolin: Found on Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii, and Lanai. Native to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Eritrea. Prefers grasslands, scrub and brush.

Breeding and Nesting

Erckel's Francolin: Four to ten off white to light brown eggs are laid in a shallow scrape or depression which may be lined with leaves, feathers, or grass. Eggs are incubated for 21-23 days by the female. Precocial chicks may stay with parents until the next breeding season.

Foraging and Feeding

Erckel's Francolin: Forages on the ground at the edges of forests and cultivated fields, and in scrub and brush. Eats a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects.

Vocalization

Erckel's Francolin: Male gives a loud and long series of cackling and croaking notes to advertise his territory. Both sexes use a "cak-cak-cak" barking call during breeding season.