Djibouti spurfowl

Birds in the family Phasianidae, such as the Djibouti spurfowl, are Old World ground-dwelling gamefowl, many of which are found in forest. African spurfowls are placed in the genus Pternistis. They are terrestrial birds that feed on insects, vegetable matter, and seeds. Most species have a hooked upper beak, tails with fourteen feathers, and in many of them the male has tarsal spurs.B. P. Hall (1963) "[https://archive.org/details/bulletinofbritis10zoollond The Francolins, a study in speciation.]" (PDF) Bulletin of the British Museum 10(2):105-204

The Djibouti spurfowl was originally collected on February 22, 1952, by Captain Albospeyre, the military commander of Tadjoura in the Forêt du Day.{{cite book| title =Rare Birds Yearbook 2008| publisher =MagDig Media Lmtd| year =2007| location =England| pages =86| isbn =978-0-9552607-3-5| editor-first1 = Erik|editor-last1= Hirschfeld }} It was then described by French ornithologists Jean Dorst and Christian Jouanin later that year as Francolinus ochropectus in L'Oiseau et la Revue française d'Ornithologie.Urban 1986, p. 65 Its specific epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek ochros, which means "ochre",{{cite book | author = Liddell, Henry George and Robert Scott | year = 1980 | title = A Greek-English Lexicon | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = United Kingdom | isbn =0-19-910207-4| edition = Abridged }} and the Latin pectus, meaning "breast".{{cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| year = 1979|edition = 5|location = London|pages = 883| isbn=0-304-52257-0}} The Djibouti spurfowl is now placed in the genus Pternistis that was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Georg Wagler in 1832.{{ cite journal | last=Wagler | first=Johann Georg | author-link=Johann Georg Wagler | year=1832 | title=Neue Sippen und Gattungen der Säugthiere und Vögel | journal=Isis von Oken | at=cols 1218–1235 [1229] | language=de, la | url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/26455534 }}{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | year=2020 | title=Pheasants, partridges, francolins | work=IOC World Bird List Version 10.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/pheasants/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | access-date=11 February 2020 }}

The distinctness of this species has been described as weak by some authors,{{cite web| title= Djibouti Francolin (Francolinus ochropectus) | publisher = The Internet Bird Collection | url =http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/djibouti-francolin-francolinus-ochropectus| access-date =2009-01-01 }} although its status as a full species has been maintained.{{cite book| last = Clements| first = James F| author-link = James F. Clements | title = The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World |edition = 6 | publisher = Comstock Publishing Associates| year = 2007| location = Ithaca, NY, US| pages = 67 |isbn = 978-0-8014-4501-9}} It forms a superspecies with Jackson's spurfowl, handsome spurfowl, chestnut-naped spurfowl, and Erckel's spurfowl; A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2019 found that the Djibouti spurfowl was sister to Erckel's spurfowl.{{ cite journal | last1=Mandiwana-Neudani | first1=T.G. | last2=Little | first2=R.M. | last3=Crowe | first3=T.M. | last4=Bowie | first4=R.C.K. | year=2019 | title=Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of African spurfowls Galliformes, Phasianidae, Phasianinae, Coturnicini: Pternistis spp. | journal=Ostrich | volume=90 | issue=2 | pages=145–172 | doi=10.2989/00306525.2019.1584925 | s2cid=195417777 }} The Djibouti spurfowl has no recognized subspecies.

This species has formerly been named as the ochre-breasted francolin, the Tadjoura francolin, and the pale-bellied francolin.{{cite book | last=Sibley | first =Charles Gald | author-link = Charles Sibley | author2=Burt Leavelle Monroe | title=Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World | publisher = Yale University Press | year = 1990 | location = New Haven, Connecticut | pages = 14| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wk-vyrNVAccC&q=Dorst+and+Jouanin.&pg=PA14| isbn = 0-300-04969-2}} To the native people of Djibouti, it is known as the kukaaqe.

This spurfowl is a large, rotund bird of approximately {{convert|35|cm|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|940|g|oz|abbr=on}} in weight.{{cite web| title =Species factsheet: Francolinus ochropectus| publisher =BirdLife International| year =2008| url =http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=181&m=0| access-date =2008-12-30}}{{cite book| title = Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World| publisher = Marshall Cavendish Cooperation | date = June 2001 | location = USA | pages = 582–583| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=40jA0MOWejIC&q=Djibouti+Francolin&pg=PA582| isbn =0-7614-7199-5| author1 = Corporation, Marshall Cavendish }} It is grayish-brown overall with white stripes and streaks on its underparts which become finer toward the head. The bird is darker on its back than on its underside. The nape has a hint of rufous, while the top of the head is gray. The forehead, lore, and eye stripe form a black mask, and the chin and throat are whitish. The eyes are brown.Urban 1986, p. 66 The feathers on the body and neck have a gold or straw-colored center that is bordered with dark brown and edged in white. The tail is short. The bill is black with some yellow on the lower mandible, and the Djibouti spurfowl's legs are a greenish-yellow.

The sexes are similar, although the male averages slightly larger than the female and has two prominent spurs on the legs, whereas the female is virtually unspurred.{{cite book | last = Madge | first = Steve |author2=McGowan, Phil |title = Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse | year = 2002 | publisher = Christopher Helm| pages = 223–224 | isbn = 0-7136-3966-0}} The female also has more rufous in its tail. The juvenile resembles the adults, but is duller, with buff barring, rather than streaking, on the underparts.

The call of this species is a rattling erk erk erk-kkkkkkkk that descends into a chuckling gurgle. Feeding birds may give a low conversational clucking.

No other spurfowl share this bird's restricted range (although the yellow-necked spurfowl occurs elsewhere in Djibouti) so it is unlikely to be confused with any other species.

File:Djibouti Francolin Area.png

The Djibouti spurfowl is endemic to Djibouti, a nation in eastern Africa, and is known from only two locations. One is the Forêt du Day in the Goda Mountains, approximately {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of the Gulf of Tadjoura. This site is only {{convert|15|sqkm|acre|abbr=on}} and is undergoing habitat changes. The other site is located in the Mabla Mountains, which are {{convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of the Forêt du Day and remain unsurveyed. This site has been exposed to more human disturbance than the Forêt du Day, and is therefore considered less viable. Combined, the total estimated range of this bird is {{convert|58|sqkm|acre|abbr=on}}.

This spurfowl prefers dense African juniper woodland with a closed canopy between {{convert|700|and|1780|m|ft|abbr=on}} in elevation, and preferably on a plateau. Mixed in with this forest habitat are box-trees (Buxus hildebrandtii) and African olives (Olea europaea africana). This spurfowl has been found in secondary woodland, box-tree woodlands (Buxus hildebrandtii), and acacia woodland (Acacia seyal).{{cite web |title=Conservation of the Djibouti Francolin |publisher=Conservation des Espèces et des Populations Animales |url=http://cathy.pelsy.9online.fr/programmes/djiboutiA.html |access-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622232847/http://cathy.pelsy.9online.fr/programmes/djiboutiA.html |archive-date=2006-06-22 }} It is also known to venture into more open woodland and wadis following the breeding season.{{cite web| last = Bealey| first = Clive | title = Djibouti francolin conservation project second phase 2006| publisher = World Pheasant Association | date = November 2006| url =http://pheasant.org.uk/du/design/pdfs/Djibouti_stage_2_report.pdf| access-date =2008-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Much of the bird's African juniper forest habitat has been damaged or destroyed due to human usage; the ability of this dead woodland to support the Djibouti spurfowl remains unknown, although some juveniles have been seen in it. It is believed that the birds are reacting to the destruction of their juniper habitat by trying to find habitat as close to it as possible.{{cite web| title = Management planning for the Djibouti francolin| publisher = World Pheasant Association | year = 2007| url =https://www.pheasant.org.uk/djiboutifrancolin | access-date = 3 December 2015 }} It has been noted that due to the decline of the juniper, Buxus hildebrandtii is now the dominant tree in areas most frequently inhabited by the spurfowl.{{cite web|last=Fisher |first=Zomo Sikander Yusuf |title=The decline of the Djibouti francolin and juniper woodland in the Forêt du Day, Djibouti: A response to climate changes and grazing pressure? |publisher=World Pheasant Association |date=September 2007 |url=http://www.iccs.org.uk/thesis/FisherMSc.pdf |access-date=2008-12-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006024010/http://www.iccs.org.uk/thesis/FisherMSc.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-06 }}

This species lives in small groups and is very shy, often remaining in dense vegetation to avoid detection,{{cite book| title =Rare Birds Yearbook 2009| publisher =MagDig Media Lmtd| year =2008| location =England| pages =86| isbn =978-0-9552607-5-9 }} and therefore its ecology is very little studied. It is believed that the spurfowl may migrate from lower altitudes to higher altitudes and juniper forest in the warmer months.{{cite web| last = Bealey| first = Clive | title = Djibouti francolin conservation project report on first phase 2004| publisher = World Pheasant Association | date = September 2004| url =http://pheasant.org.uk/du/design/pdfs/Djibouti_report.pdf | access-date =2008-12-31 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Its main predator is the common genet. The bird is most active and most likely to call between 6 am and 9 am. After this it may spend most of the day perched motionless in a tree up to {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the ground. It eats berries, seeds, termites and figs. It scratches the ground to collect seeds and, when it finds an area disturbed by warthogs, also scratches the ground for termites. It is monogamous and breeds between December and February.

Only one nest has been recorded; this was located on a mountain ledge, and was a shallow grass-lined depression in the earth. These birds roost in nearby trees at heights of {{convert|5|to|8|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is probably monogamous, and local people say that the clutch is typically 7–9 eggs, but this is unconfirmed.

File:Acacia seyal Bild0830.jpg woodland similar to that in which the Djibouti francolin is occasionally seen]]

This species is considered critically endangered by the IUCN because it underwent a 90% population decrease over twenty years. In 1977, there were an estimated 5600 birds in Forêt du Day, which was the only known location for the species at the time. By 1986, this number had dropped to 1500 individuals. The species was discovered at its second site in the Mabla Mountains in 1986. While the population in the Mabla Mountains has yet to be surveyed, numbers in the Forêt du Day continued to drop, with 500–1000 Djibouti spurfowls recorded in 1998 and only 115–135 in 2004. The total world population in 2006 was estimated to be between 612 and 723 adults.

This species is threatened because of habitat destruction. At the Forêt du Day site, 95% of its preferred juniper habitat is dead or dying and is unable to support this bird. While an overarching reason behind this destruction remains unknown, overgrazing by cattle, camels, and goats is believed to have been a significant contributor, along with rain, climate change, and a fungal disease. Hunting, the gathering of firewood, egg collecting, and general human disturbance are also believed to be threats. At the Mabla Mountains site, the habitat is also being degraded by the collection of firewood and overgrazing.

In 1937, part of the Forêt du Day site was set aside as Day Forest National Park; this designation is no longer valid. There have been studies of the area and the related environmental and economic issues involved; very few of the suggestions made by these surveys have been implemented, partially due to the unrest in Djibouti since the early 1990s. In May 2008, {{convert|1000|sqkm|acre|abbr=on}} of forest near the village of Day were set aside for a tree nursery in an attempt to restore some of the spurfowl's damaged habitat. Surveys are under way to determine population sizes and current range, including plans to survey the largely unknown site in the Mabla Mountains and potentially suitable areas in between the two known sites. A promotional campaign in local schools took place in 2008 to raise awareness for the species.

The majority of native people in areas surrounding the spurfowl's range believe that the species is important, either because of its meat, which may be eaten by the Muslims who comprise the predominant religious group of the region, or because it is part of the natural heritage of the region. While the species is rarely eaten today due to its rarity, decades ago the species was so common that it was easily captured when it approached nearby villages.

The Djibouti spurfowl has been featured on two stamps: one in 1989 from Djibouti, and another from the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, which was what Djibouti was known as under French rule, in 1972.{{cite web | title =Djibouti Francolin Stamps| publisher =Bird Stamps | url = http://www.bird-stamps.org/cspecies/3805800.htm| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130112174426/http://www.bird-stamps.org/cspecies/3805800.htm| url-status = usurped| archive-date = January 12, 2013| access-date = 2009-01-01}}

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• {{cite book | last = Urban | first = Emil K |author2=C. Hilary Fry |author3=Stuart Keith | title = The Birds of Africa Volume II | publisher = Academic Press| year = 1986| location = London | isbn =0-12-137302-9}}

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• Blot, J (1985). "Contribution to our knowledge of the biology and ecology of the pale-bellied Francolin Francolinus ochropectus Dorst and Jouanin". Alauda. 63(4):244-256.
• Fisher, Zomo S. Y.; Samantha Cartwright, Clive Bealey, Houssein A. Rayaleh, Philip McGowan and E. J. Milner-Gulland (2009). "The Djibouti francolin and juniper forest in Djibouti: the need for both ecosystem and species-specific conservation". Oryx 43:542-551 {{doi|10.1017/S0030605309990214}}

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{{Commons category|Pternistis ochropectus}}

{{Wikispecies|Pternistis ochropectus}}

• [https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Pternistis-ochropectus Xeno-canto: audio recordings of the Djibouti spurfowl]
• [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=181&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
• [http://www.pheasant.org.uk/page/cons_africa_djibouti Pictures of Djibouti francolin and habitat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529103213/http://www.pheasant.org.uk/page/cons_africa_djibouti |date=2014-05-29 }}

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Djibouti spurfowl

Djibouti spurfowl

Category:Birds of the Horn of Africa

Djibouti spurfowl

Djibouti spurfowl

Djibouti spurfowl

Djibouti spurfowl

Djibouti spurfowl

Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot