Harwood’s francolin  (Francolinus harwoodi)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

This rotund, ground-dwelling bird is found only in central and northwest Ethiopia. It has a dark, heavily streaked plumage, black and buff underparts, red, bare skin around the eyes and a conspicuous red bill (2) (3). The female Harwood’s francolin has slightly paler, browner underparts than the male (2). This vocal bird may also be identified by its loud, raucous, crowing ko-ree call, which is most often heard early in the morning and late in the afternoon (2) (3).

Harwood’s francolin is found in a relatively large area around the Blue Nile River and its tributaries in the highlands of central Ethiopia (2) (4).

Harwood’s francolin inhabits a number of natural and altered habitats including dense reed beds of bulrush (Typha), thorny scrub and open agricultural fields. While feeding, it is most often found in areas of bare, stony ground and sparse grasses and trees bordering vegetation that offers cover from predators. At other times, it typically roosts in dense bushes and grasses (4) (5).

Like other francolins, Harwoods’s francolin prefers to feed on seeds, although it will supplement this diet with a variety of other vegetation, such as tubers, berries and fruit, as well as termites (2) (4). The breeding season takes place between August and December, with a peak in breeding in September, and it is thought that between three and ten small, spotted eggs are laid. Harwood’s francolin is most likely a polygamous bird, with male birds mating with more than one partner during the breeding season (4) (5).

The greatest threat facing Harwood’s francolin is habitat destruction. In central Ethiopia, an expanding human population is increasing the pressure on natural habitats, resulting in trees and bushes being cleared for agriculture and to provide wood for fuel and construction (2) (4) (6). Beds of bullrushes are annually burned so that farmers can plant cotton in the moist soil and to provide material for thatching, mats and fencing (4) (6). The loss of natural habitat has caused Harwood’s francolin to increasingly enter homesteads and agricultural lands where it is vulnerable to persecution and predators as much of its shelter has been removed in the area (4) (6). The threat of habitat loss is further compounded by hunting and this bird is killed for its flesh, which is prized for its flavour and apparent medicinal properties, while its eggs are also taken for food (4) (5) (6). 

Due to the economic and dietary importance of this species to the local human population, the development of a community-based conservation programme is likely crucial for its survival. There is also a pressing need for awareness-raising projects highlighting the benefits of the conservation of this species and its habitat to the community. Other recommended conservation measures for this Vulnerable species include the implementation of a species action plan and legal protection against hunting and the collecting of eggs (4). 

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on Harwood’s francolin see: 

• BirdLife International:
  www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=168&m=0