Pheasants and Partridges (Phasianidae)

Clapperton's Francolin (Francolinus clappertoni) - HBW 2, p. 498

French: Francolin de Clapperton German: Clappertonfrankolin Spanish: Francolín de Clapperton

Taxonomy: Francolinus Clappertoni Children, 1826, no locality = Bornu.
Forms superspecies with F. icterorhynchus, F. bicalcaratus and F. harwoodi. Has been included in genus Chaetopus. Recently proposed reorganization of Francolinus places present species in genus Pternistis with 23 other species. Various races proposed, including sharpii, konigseggi and nigrosquamatus, but geographical variation in plumage is complex and validity of races is dubious. Monotypic.

Distribution: E Mali (from Azzawakh) E through C Niger, NE Nigeria, N Cameroon, S Chad and S & C Sudan to N Uganda and Ethiopia.