The Harwood's Spurfowl (Pternistis harwoodi) is a species of bird that belongs to the Phasianidae family. It is a relatively small and beautiful bird, measuring around 38 cm in length and weighing about 550 grams. The Harwood's Spurfowl has a distinctive appearance with a black and white pattern on its head along with a brown body with small white dots.
The Harwood's Spurfowl is primarily found in Eastern Africa, specifically in the highlands of Ethiopia and Somalia. It is known to inhabit grassy, bushy, and wooded areas, including savannahs, scrublands, and forests up to an altitude of about 2,600 meters.
The Harwood's Spurfowl is a diurnal bird, which means it is active during the day. It is an omnivore, feeding on a variety of plants, insects, and small animals such as snails, fruit, and seeds. The bird is known to scratch around the ground for food, digging up insects and roots with its sharp claws. The Harwood's Spurfowl is also known to form small groups of up to 20 individuals.
Harwood's Spurfowl is vocal and has a distinct call that it uses to communicate with its group members. They call their mates through a series of soft clucking or cackling sounds, accompanied by foot-stomping and head-bobbing.
The Harwood's Spurfowl is a monogamous bird and pairs for life. During the breeding season, the male Harwood's Spurfowl will call out to attract a female. Once they have paired up, they will begin building their nest on the ground, using materials such as grass and leaves. The female Harwood's Spurfowl will lay up to six eggs in the nest, which are incubated for around 17 days by both parents.
The Harwood's Spurfowl is not considered to be threatened or endangered; however, habitat loss and hunting are potential threats to their populations. The Harwood's Spurfowl is an essential part of the ecosystem, contributing to seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and insect control. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these beautiful birds and their habitats to ensure their survival for future generations.