The Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena) is a small fowl-like, or partridge-like, bird from east and south Africa.

The Crested Francolin is brown, lined with white and black. It has a rufous (red-brown) neck. Its chest is lighter beige-brown with white lines. It has a white stripe above its eyes, with a grey-brown cap. It has a short, grey beak and pink legs.

Crested Francolin (female with chicks)

It can grow to about 28 centimetres (11 inches) tall.

It prefers bushlands and woodlands.

Females lay about 6 eggs in a shallow nest on the ground, underneath a shrub.

Crested Francolin (female with chicks)

Crested Francolin (female with chicks)

Crested Francolin (female with chicks)

Crested Francolin

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM