Grey Francolin

The grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus) is a species of francolin found in the plains and drier parts of the Indian subcontinent. This species was formerly also called the grey partridge, not to be confused with the European grey partridge. They are found in open cultivated lands as well as scrub forest and their local name of teetar is based on their calls, a loud and repeated Ka-tee-tar...tee-tar which is produced by one or more birds. The term teetar can also refer to other partridges and quails. During the breeding season calling males attract challengers, and decoys were used to trap these birds especially for fighting.

Scientific Name : Francolinus Pondicerianus

Family : Phasianidae

Order : Galliformes

Class : Aves

Type : Pheasants And Partridges

Conservation Status : Least concern (LC)

Size : 29 – 34 cm

Compare Size : Mayna +

Wingspan : NA

Weight : 200 - 340 g

Migratory : Resident

Sex Alike : Yes

Nesting Season : April to September

Other Names :

English : Grey Partridge, Gray Partridge, Gray Francolin

Hindi : राम तीतर, तीतर

Marathi : राखी तित्तीर, चितूर, तित्तूर, चित्तर

Habitat:
The grey francolin is normally found foraging on bare or low grass covered ground in scrub and open country, and is rarely found above an altitude of 500 m above sea level in India

Breeding:
6-8 eggs

Feeding:
seeds, grains as well as insects, particularly termites and beetles. They may occasionally take larger prey such as snakes.


Identification Features

Male & Female
Underparts grey with dark-brown barring
Neck grey with dark-brown barring
Wing with darker-brown,grey and broad chestnut barring
Head plain orange around eyes
Throat has thin black border
Forehead orange
Crown greyish-brown
Upperparts greyish-brown with buff barring
Supercilium or eyebrow buff; long; but seen only in some populations
Note :
overall barred

SIGHTINGS

Date Location
2019-01-31 31 Jan 2019 Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan

Similar Birds

(Pheasants And Partridges)