Gray Francolin

Key identifiable features

• General: Stocky, barred brown gamebird with a pale face and thin black border around the throat. Chestnut undertail visible in flight.
• Male vs Female: Males are slightly larger and may show one or two leg spurs; females lack spurs.
• Juvenile: Younger birds are paler and less distinctly barred.

Movement & migration

Resident across dry plains and farmland of South Asia. Non-migratory, running through scrub and taking short flights when alarmed.

General information

A familiar ground-dwelling bird of open country and agricultural areas, feeding on seeds and insects. Its sharp, repetitive call often carries at dawn and dusk. Known for forming small coveys and adapting well near villages.

Sourced from authorized ornithology references.

Audio recordings