 |
| Francolinus (castaneicollis) atrifrons |
Note the differences in head coloration: atrifrons males have a distinctive orange patch behind the eye, markedly different from other subspecies in the castaneicollis complex - and probably not visible on a specimen. At least in this regard the illustration in the Horn of Africa field guide is not very appropriate. Also, the Mega birds appear much grayer than in the book.
The habitat is also different from other populations of F. canstanicolis. We found the species in densely vegetated, usually rocky areas at higher altitudes, but not in "juniper forest". One reason may be that these forests are now nearly disappeared around Mega. The mountain habitats are in pitiable condition. Added to this is an obviously strong pressure of hunting by snares.
Francolinus atrifrons was described by Conover in 1930 as a separate species. The "downgrading" to F.castaneicollis atrifrons goes back to Benson 1945. But B. P. Hall, in his francolin study of 1963 seemed inclined to regard atrifrons as separate species.
Töpfer, T. & Gedeon, K. (2013): Auf der Suche nach dem Schwarzstirn-Frankolin in Süd- Äthiopien. WPA-Rundbrief 121: 10-13.
Francolinus atrifrons was described by Conover in 1930 as a separate species. The "downgrading" to F.castaneicollis atrifrons goes back to Benson 1945. But B. P. Hall, in his francolin study of 1963 seemed inclined to regard atrifrons as separate species.
Töpfer, T. & Gedeon, K. (2013): Auf der Suche nach dem Schwarzstirn-Frankolin in Süd- Äthiopien. WPA-Rundbrief 121: 10-13.
