Pternistis is agenus ofgalliform birds formerly classified in thespurfowl group of thepartridge subfamily of thepheasant family. They are described as "partridge-francolins" in literature establishing their phylogenetic placement outside the monophyletic assemblage of true spurfowls. All species are endemic toSub-Saharan Africa, excepted thedouble-spurred spurfowl (also present in Morocco). They are commonly known as spurfowls or francolins, but are closely related tojungle bush quail,Alectoris rock partridges, andCoturnix quail. The species are strictly monogamous, remaining mated indefinitely. They procure most of their food by digging. Spurfowls subsist almost entirely on roots, beans ofleguminous shrubs and trees, tubers, and seeds, and feasting opportunistically ontermites,ants,locusts, flowers, and fruit. Important predators arejackals,caracals,servals, andbirds of prey, as well asherons andmarabou storks.
Most of the species within the genus formerly included "francolin" in their common name.[6] Beginning in 2004 various ornithologists have recommended that it would be clearer to restrict the use of "francolin" to members of the genusFrancolinus and closely related genera (Peliperdix,Ortygornis,Campocolinus,Scleroptila) and to use "spurfowl" for all members of the genusPternistis.[7][8] Both are in different tribes within the subfamilyPavoninae:Pternistis is placed with theOld World quails in the tribeCoturnicini, while the true francolins are placed with thejunglefowl in the tribeGallini.[9] This recommendation was adopted in 2020 byFrank Gill and colleagues in the online list of world birds that they maintain on behalf of theInternational Ornithological Committee (IOC).[6] The common name "spurfowl" is also used for the three Asian species that are placed in the genusGalloperdix.[6]
^Mandiwana-Neudani et al (2019) did not sample DNA from theblack-fronted spurfowl (Pternistis atrifrons) but suggested the taxon should be considered as asubspecies of thechestnut-naped spurfowl (Pternistis castaneicollis).[8] In contrast, Töpfer et al (2015) sampled mitochondrial DNA from the black-fronted spurfowl and concluded the taxon should be treated as a distinct species.[10]
^Mandiwana-Neudani et al. (2019) split the scaly spurfowl and elevate Schuett's spurfowl (Pternistis squamatus schuetti) to a full species.[8]
^Mandiwana-Neudani et al. (2019) split the red-necked spurfowl and elevate Cranch’s spurfowl (Pternistis afer cranchii) to a full species.[8]
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