The Grey francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) is a medium-sized francolin. It was formerly also called the Grey partridge, not to be confused with the European Grey partridge. The local name of Grey francolins teetar is based on their calls, a loud and repeated Ka-tee-tar...tee-tar which is usually produced by one or more birds.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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GranivoreSeed predation, often referred to as granivory, is a type of plant-animal interaction in which granivores (seed predators) feed on the seeds of pla...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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GlidingGliding flight is heavier-than-air flight without the use of thrust and is employed by gliding animals. Birds in particular use gliding flight to m...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Grey francolin has a barred coloration and its face is pale with a thin black border to the pale throat. The male can have up to two spurs on the legs while females usually lack them. Subspecies mecranensis is palest and subspecies interpositus is darker. The nominate race has a darker rufous throat, supercilium, and is richer brown. In flight the Grey francolin shows a chestnut tail and dark primaries.
Grey francolins are found in the Indian subcontinent and Iran. Their distribution is south of the foothills of the Himalayas westwards to the Indus Valley and eastwards to Bengal. They are also found in north-western Sri Lanka. Grey francolins inhabit open plains, bare or low grass-covered ground in scrub and open country. They are also found in open cultivated lands and scrub forest.
Grey francolins are mostly ground-dwelling birds. They are weak fliers and fly short distances, usually when escaping into the undergrowth after a few spurts of flight. The loud calls of these birds are commonly heard early in the morning. Pairs of birds will sometimes engage in a duet. The female call is a ‘tee...tee...tee’ repeated and sometimes a ‘kila..kila..kila’. The challenge call ‘kateela..kateela..kateela’ is performed in a duet. Grey francolins are usually seen in small groups. At night they roost in groups in low thorny trees.
Grey francolins are carnivores (insectivores) and herbivores (granivores). They feed on seeds, grains, and insects, particularly termites and beetles. They may occasionally take larger prey such as snakes.
Grey francolins are monogamous and form pairs. They breed between April and September. The nest of these birds is a hidden scrape on the ground and may sometimes be made above ground level in a niche in a wall or rock. The female lays a clutch of 6 to 8 eggs and which hatch 18-23 days later.
The Grey francolin is not considered a threatened species but it is hunted in much of its range using low nets and easily caught using calling decoy birds.
According to IUCN Red List, the Grey francolin is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...