Cyprus -Nature- Birds - The Black Francolin
This most striking bird for its plumage which has become extinct in all
European countries, is a resident bird of Cyprus. Like the Chukar it belongs to
the Phasianidae family but the sexes are different in appearance. The male is
predominantly black with white on the cheek, a bright chestnut collar and white
spots on the flanks. The back and wings are mottled shades of golden brown with
sub terminal tawny-buff bands and pale edges. The tail is black with narrow
white bars. The female has the upper plumage, wings and tail as in the male but
the black is replaced by mottled brown and the brown bars on the lower back and
tail are wider.
Its habitat is confined in the SW and on the Karpas peninsula. Recently it
has been expanding its range. It is usually found in the coastal lowlands but
also up to 20 Km. inland in valleys of the South West.
Black francolins appear to be well adapted to cultivated crops, tall enough
to offer shelter and open beneath to provide escape routes and easy travel.
Their south western habitat includes cereals, vegetables, vineyards. They are
not forest birds but will frequent brush land and wood edges associated with
grass land. They appear to be more closely associated to water than chukars are,
and in drier areas they frequent stream banks and adjacent tall grasses and
weeds. Francolins normally nest from late March to May and Clutches are normally
between 10 to 14 eggs. Young appear in April through June.
A plump, fast running bird which keeps to the undergrowth, the black
francolin only flies when disturbed. Then, "exploding" from cover, it flies fast
whirring low. The male may be seen standing on a rock or low tree attracting
attention with its extraordinary creaking call. It may be heard all day long in
April, during nesting, and less persistently in March and May as well as the