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Grey Francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus
The Grey Francolin is a species found with the Pheasant family, and there are three different location-based subspecies. They were once referred to as Grey Partridges, but that was a bit of a confusing common name, as there are also grey Partridges in Europe.

Grey Francolins can be found in South Asia, as well as in introduced populations in the Pacific, and in Hawaii and Nevada. They live in grassland and scrubland areas, and they do their nesting either in scrapes on the ground, or in small rocky walls. They aren't very good fliers, so they rely on grasses and shrubs to hide. These birds are omnivores, eating seeds, insects, and even small reptiles.

Interestingly, Grey Francolins have been domesticated in India and Pakistan for quite some time, though their purpose is a rather sad one-- the birds are kept for fighting. The birds are very common outside of captivity, and are one of the most populous game birds in their range.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South Asia
Size : Weight up to 250g
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Francolinus -- Species : F. pondicerianus 
Image Attribution : Ravi Vaidyanathan

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