Home › Aves › Phasianidae › Gray Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Gray Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus)
Ortygornis
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East
DIET
Omnivorous
HABITAT
Dry grasslands scrub farmlands
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Galliformes
FAMILY
Phasianidae
GENUS
Ortygornis
📋 Description
SIZE
30-33 cm long 200-350 g
COLORATION
Grey-brown with fine barring black neck patch pale throat
ADAPTATIONS
Strong legs for running camouflaged plumage for ground cover
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Dry grasslands scrub farmlands
DIET
Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Middle East
REPRODUCTION
Lays 4-8 eggs in ground scrapes incubated 18-20 days
DIET DETAILS
Seeds insects small vertebrates
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss agricultural intensification
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Ground Runners: Gray Francolins scurry with 300-gram bodies eating 50 grams of seeds daily in Rajasthan's scrub. Their barred plumage blends seamlessly.
2
Vocal Sprinters: These francolins cover 4000 sq km in Gujarat's fields calling loudly at dawn. Pesticides threaten their food base.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Jamnagar in Gujarat
Jorbeer Conservation Reserve in Rajasthan
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Listen for gray francolins' sharp calls in open scrub at dawn
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round Dry habitats ensure visibility for spotting francolins
