Painted spurfowl pair

A male and female painted spurfowl pose on a boulder at dawn. Karnataka, India. 

These striking members of the pheasant family inhabit the rocky hills and scrub forests of the Indian peninsula. These shy birds are typically seen in pairs or small groups and tend to stay hidden in the undergrowth, rarely taking flight.

The painted spurfowl (Galloperdix lunulata) is a medium sized bird in the pheasant family found in rocky hill and scrub forests in Peninsular India. The males are striking and brightly coloured with white spots. The females are duller in colour and have less spurs. Birds are typically seen in pairs or small groups of up to 6 individuals and will rarely take flight. The spurfowls diet consists of fruits, seeds and berries as well as insects and flowers. The breeding season is between January and June. During the courtship ritual the male will offer food to the hen in his beak. Their nest is typically located on the ground and lined with leaves, often sheltered under a boulder. The female incubates the eggs alone, but once hatched both parents will take care of the chicks.

You can find out more about the painted spurfowl here.