Harwood’s francolin  (Francolinus harwoodi)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

This rotund, ground-dwelling gamebird is found only in central Ethiopia. It has dark, heavily streaked plumage, black and buff underparts, and a conspicuous red bill and red, bare skin around the eyes (2) (3). Female Harwood’s francolins have slightly paler, browner underparts than males (2). In the early morning its loud, raucous, crowing ko ree can be heard (2) (3).

Occurs in a very small area in the highland of central Ethiopia, around the Blue Nile River and its tributaries (2).

Harwood’s francolin generally inhabits dense Typha (bullrush) beds with scattered trees, growing along small, shallow watercourses and woodland. However, there has also been evidence of Harwood’s francolin roosting in thorn scrub on hillsides (4).

Harwood’s francolin feeds on tubers, seeds, berries, fruit and termites (2). The breeding season is believed to extend from September to December, when clutches of four to seven eggs are laid (4). Harwood’s francolin is thought to be a polygamous bird, with birds mating with more than one partner during the breeding season (4).

The greatest threat facing Harwood’s francolin is habitat destruction. In central Ethiopia, expanding human populations are increasing the pressure on natural habitat, resulting in trees and bushes being cleared for agriculture, and to provide wood for fuel and construction (2) (5). Beds of bullrushes are annually burned so that farmers can plant cotton in the moist soil, and bullrushes are also cut to provide material for thatching, mats and fencing (5). Whilst bullrush beds are apparently adept at regenerating, this level of disturbance is slowly reducing the area of critical bullrush habitat available for Harwood’s francolins (5). Hunting of the Harwood’s francolin compounds the threat of habitat loss. This bird is heavily hunted for its flesh, which is prized for its flavour and for the medicinal value it is believed to possess (5), and its eggs are also taken for food (4).

At present, Harwood’s francolin is not known to be receiving any specific conservation action. An Action Plan for the conservation of partridges, quails, francolins, snowcocks, and guineafowl was published in 1995, and then updated in 2000 (4). This document highlights conservation actions required for the species in this group, including Harwood’s francolin. Recommended actions were to carry out population surveys, ascertain its habitat requirements and the importance of different threats, develop a community-orientated action plan, and protect key areas (4). Hopefully such measures will soon be implemented, to ensure the survival of this vulnerable bird.

For further information on Harwood’s francolin see:

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

• Polygamous: mating with more than one partner in the same season.

1. IUCN Red List (September, 2007)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J. (1994) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2: New World Vultures to Guineafowl.Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
3. BirdLife International (September, 2007)
   http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=168&m=0
4. Fuller, R.A., Carroll, J.P. and McGowan, P.J.K. (2000) Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan 2000–2004.IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.
5. EWNHS. (1996) The conservation of key biodiversity sites and the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) project in Ethiopia.Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society, Addis Ababa.