Kaapse Fisant, Cape Spurfowl née Francolin Pternistis Capensis

Fisant is galliform, hanging out in scrubby open land with trees, preferably close to running water. They are preyed on by the jackal, caracal, serval, wildcat - silvestris cafra, and airborne eagle.

Cape grey mongoose, domesticated Felis catus, falcon, goshawk, harrier and kite take the young and vulnerable. Robust superfowl cockerels retaliate but the species will also become tame when left in peace or encouraged.

Sustained by a variety of plants and insects, food procurement is by digging, in veld and vlei, garden, often in company of farmyard animals and road side tarentaal. Grass-lined scrapes under bush are nest for up to eight eggs. Couples are strictly monogamous, mating endlessly.

Though no real francolin flocks form, family groups pool resources. e.g. two hens will lay in one nest and nurture chicks collectively to better secure their off-spring.

Spurfowl contact calls and songs are loud caphackalac-caphackalac-caphackalac-aah deliveries, piercing when alarmed, otherwise content.

They swiftly run rather than fly when disturbed, but even while young, do so readily and strongly if startled or pressed.

Large Colins appear all dark in the distance, apart from the red legs. Close up, their unisex plumage is a fine labyrinthine bronze, grey and white, capped with broody crown. Males have two leg spur and females at best a short one. Not cool.

Fully grown Capensis are unlikely to be confused with any other species in its space.

Bicalcaratus, the other bi-spurred Pternistis, ranges into North Africa. More unobtrusive, it is best observed in Spring when males sing a mechanical krak-krak-krak from courting mounds. It has a pheasant's explosive flight, but prefers to stay unseen.

Lemoene, 10 December 2016