Double-spurred spurfowl
Scientific name: Pternistis bicalcaratus
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Robust game bird with reddish-brown and grey plumage. Males display diagnostic double spurs on legs; females are smaller and duller.
Size and weight
Males weigh 700–900 g, females 600–750 g. Body length 30–35 cm.
Habitat
Open to semi-open savanna, grassland, and scrubby terrain, typically near water. Elevation range from lowlands to approximately 2,000 m.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa, concentrated in eastern and central regions. Shows preference for semi-arid savanna with modest moisture.
Diet
Seeds, insects, and small invertebrates; dietary composition shifts seasonally with available invertebrate abundance.
Behaviour
Active at dawn and dusk, less active midday. Occurs singly, in pairs, or small groups; predominantly ground-dwelling and terrestrial.
Hunting tips
Track birds to water sources at dawn or dusk by identifying their ground sign in soft soil. Approach from downwind, using terrain folds to close distance. Position yourself between roosting sites and water—they follow predictable routes along ridge lines and drainage bottoms.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 5 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.