Crested Francolin

Francolinus sephaena

Other Names

    Francolin huppé, Francolin casqué   Schopffrankolin   Francolín Capirotado     Kuiffrankolijn   Francolino crestato

World: Africa from southern Sudan, Ethiopia and western Somalia, south through Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania (excluding western regions) to Mozambique, Angola and NE South Africa

Kenya: The most widespread and common of Kenyan Francolins. Found in dense bush and woodland across most of the country. Mostly absent from around the Lake Victoria basin (some authorities attribute this to habitat destruction and hunting)

A very distinctive Francolin which can be identified by its broad white superciliary stripe. Normally seen in pairs or small groups often on bare ground including (as in the photograph above) dirt roads. Crested Francolins are vocal at intervals throughout the day and may even be heard on bright moonlit nights