Frankoline forms the species-richest type of the partridges. they are similar in the outer appearance for short and rounded off wings the partridge with approximately 31 - 42 cm of size, powerful runs. The tail has 14 tax-feathers. With most types, the male birds carry a powerfully trained spur at every run, that 32 cm big Doppelspornfrankolin (Francolinus bicalcaratus) even their two. With some types, the sexes resemble from, others shows a distinctive Dimorphismus.
Spread Frankoline live in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia (from Asia Minor and Cyprus as far as to India and southeast-China). its northern spread-border is approximately because of the Kaukasus.
Habitat The life-places of the numerous Frankolin-Arten are quite different; usually, the individual types occur in a typical landscape-line locally. To human settlements and culture-landscapes, Frankoline adapt themselves very well. Dense forests of west and central-Africa, open grassland, field-groves as well as brushland-ships and stony Karstflächen are the habitats of differently adjusted Frankoline.
Way of life The distinctive inclination is most types together to be been at the ground and to reach from a danger-area on foot. However, some few Frankoline retreat to sleeping and rests into dense-leafy trees, others is in moist weather on elevated locations preferably.
Particularly during the morning and twilight, in the incubation, often however also the whole day over, the cocks of elevated attendants shout out.
In both Africa and in its Asian home, Frankoline are a popular hunt-game, moreover another very palatable one, unfortunately.
Reproduction Only the reproductive-behavior of the Halsbandfrankolins (Francolinus francolinus) is described in place of the other types here. its preferred habitat is extensive, with undergrowth existed and partially moist grass and meadow-landscapes, in which it places its nest against the ground. It is a flat ground-hollow, occasionally also laid out one little with grass and hidden usually quite well through overhanging grass or shrubbery.
In Asia Minor, the brood-period begins in April until May, in India Z. B. if it lasts from March to October. Two yearly-broods are frequent. Also the nest-size is differently with the individual races, 6 or 8-12 eggs are quite frequent. Only the female breeds 18-19 (-23) days-long while the male is in the proximity. This brownish bedunten of giving birth is distinct Nestflüchter; they are led by both alto-birds and stay together in the family-association until the next spring.
Food Frankoline are quite adaptable in the composition of its food. Beside grains, grass-seeds, shoot, berries and others fruit like to also pick up it insects and their larvae as well as miscellaneous other small Gliedertiere.
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