Djibouti Spurfowl
CR

Djibouti Spurfowl

Pternistis ochropectus

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti_spurfowl

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Djibouti Francolin faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by overgrazing by livestock, particularly goats and cattle, which destroys the understory vegetation essential for nesting and foraging. Agricultural expansion and human settlement development have further fragmented its already limited range in the Forêt du Day. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased aridity and altered precipitation patterns affecting the montane forest ecosystem this species depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to the montane juniper forests of the Forêt du Day in Djibouti, occurring at elevations between 700-1,500 meters. It inhabits dense understory vegetation within Juniperus procera woodland, requiring thick ground cover for nesting and foraging on seeds, insects, and plant matter.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationFormal educationAwareness & communicationsLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Djibouti Spurfowl classified as Critically Endangered?
Djibouti Spurfowl is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Djibouti Francolin faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by overgrazing by livestock, particularly goats and cattle, which destroys the understory vegetation essential for nesting and foraging. Agricultural expansion and human settlement development have further fragmented its already limited range in the Forêt du Day. Climate change poses an additional threat through increased aridity and altered precipitation patterns affecting the montane forest ecosystem this species depends upon.
Where does Djibouti Spurfowl live?
Djibouti Spurfowl occurs in Djibouti. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Djibouti Spurfowl?
The main threats to Djibouti Spurfowl are 11.1, 11.2, 2.3, and 5.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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