Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pternistis swainsonii
- Family
- Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (Phasianidae)
- Order
- Galliformes
Overview
Swainson's spurfowl or Swainson's francolin (Pternistis swainsonii) is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae which is native to southern Africa. In the Shona language in Zimbabwe, this bird is called the chikwari or horwe and is considered a delicacy by outdoor and hunting enthusiasts. Swainson's spurfowl was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Savanna, wet grassland, and edge of lowlands and hills from southeastern Angola and northern Namibia eastward to northeastern Zimbabwe and southward to Free State, eastern South Africa.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Swainson's spurfowl
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
