Cape Spurfowl
Cape SpurfowlCape SpurfowlCape Spurfowl

Cape Spurfowl

Pternistis capensis

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
20–30% · Possible
overall probability at Table Mountain National Park
1,489 Verified records at Table Mountain National Park
September Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The Cape spurfowl or Cape francolin (Pternistis capensis) is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is endemic to southern Africa, where it is the largest francolin. It occurs in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and locally northwards to southern Namibia. It has adapted to alien vegetation and a variety of human-altered habitats, but scrubby roosting and nesting space is a prerequisite. The species is not threatened. Wikipedia →

20–30% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Spurfowl sighting in Table Mountain National Park, based on 1,489 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Table Mountain National Park

Asian Blue Quail
LC

Asian Blue Quail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Synoicus chinensis

Insufficient data
Common Peafowl
LC

Common Peafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pavo cristatus

<5% · Rare
Grey-winged Francolin
LC

Grey-winged Francolin

Bird

Scleroptila afra

<5% · Rare
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

30–40% · Possible

📅 Monthly Probability

20–30
Jan
20–30
Feb
20–30
Mar
20–30
Apr
20–30
May
20–30
Jun
30–40
Jul
30–40
Aug
30–40
Sep
30–40
Oct
20–30
Nov
20–30
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Table Mountain National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
20–30%
2 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
<5%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Cape Spurfowl in Table Mountain National Park?

About 29% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Spurfowl sighting in Table Mountain National Park, based on 1,489 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Cape Spurfowl in Table Mountain National Park?

September has the highest sighting rate for Cape Spurfowl in Table Mountain National Park in our monthly data.

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