Mount Cameroon Francolin
[order] GALLIFORMES | [family] Phasianidae | [latin] Pternistis camerunensis | [UK] Mount Cameroon Francolin | [FR] Conure couronnee | [DE] Kamerunfrankolin | [ES] Francolin del Camerun | [NL]
Subspecies
Monotypic species
Physical charateristics
Terrestrial gamebird with red bill and legs. Male greyish below with warm brown upperparts and diagnostic red bill, eye-surround, legs and feet. Female has similar coloured soft parts but plumage mottled brown below with heavily barred upperparts. Immature resembles female but is barred, not streaked, below.
| wingspan min.: | 0 | cm | wingspan max.: | 0 | cm |
| size min.: | 26 | cm | size max.: | 28 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 26 | days | incubation max.: | 28 | days |
| fledging min.: | 50 | days | fledging max.: | 28 | days |
| broods: | 0 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 5 |
Range
Africa : Cameroon
Habitat
It inhabits dense undergrowth in primary forest and clearings between 850-2,100 m. It appears able to tolerate secondary forest and has been observed in savanna-scrub habitat following forest burning
Reproduction
It breeds during the dry season, with birds laying between October and December. No further data.
Feeding habits
It feeds on berries, grass seeds and insects.
Conservation
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small range, being found on one mountain only, where it faces increasing threats from human-induced burning of its habitat and the retreating forest/savanna boundary in some places.
It appears able to tolerate secondary forest and has been observed in savanna-scrub habitat following forest burning. While fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon on Mt Cameroon and lava-flows occur about every 20 years, it is the regular burning of grassland by hunters that is probably the greatest threat to the species, causing the destruction of both eggs and young birds. Recurrent bush fires destroy forest, particularly on the south-east slopes. Clearance is an additional problem, notably on the east side of the mountain where it is extensive and could become more serious, with hunting posing a relatively insignificant (but continuing) threat. The species and its eggs may be targeted by hunters and other people.
It appears able to tolerate secondary forest and has been observed in savanna-scrub habitat following forest burning. While fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon on Mt Cameroon and lava-flows occur about every 20 years, it is the regular burning of grassland by hunters that is probably the greatest threat to the species, causing the destruction of both eggs and young birds. Recurrent bush fires destroy forest, particularly on the south-east slopes. Clearance is an additional problem, notably on the east side of the mountain where it is extensive and could become more serious, with hunting posing a relatively insignificant (but continuing) threat. The species and its eggs may be targeted by hunters and other people.
Migration
Resident throughout range.
Distribution map
