Partridge (Erckel's Francolin)

 

In 1957 the species was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands but is native to Ethiopia. This type of partridge was one of many game birds brought to Hawai'i. There are two other varieties of Francolin on the islands, the Grey Francolin and the Black Francolin.

 

Both the male and female are similar and sport a bright chestnut coloured cap. Both the male and female also have spurs on the backs of their legs; the male has two distinct spurs, whereas the female will only have one spur.

The Erckel female lays 7 to 12 spotted eggs which hatch about 22 days after being laid. This particular Francolin was photographed by the roadside of the Mauna Kea volcano at 9,000 ft.


Photographed in the wild on Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawaii (2014)