Kingdom Animalia Class Aves Family Phasianidae Rank Subspecies | Phylum Chordata Order Galliformes Genus Scleroptila | |
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Similar Sumatran partridge, Grey‑striped francolin, Schlegel's francolin, Ring‑necked francolin, Mount Cameroon francolin | ||
The Elgon francolin (Scleroptila psilolaema elgonensis) is a francolin found in moorland at altitudes above 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) from eastern Uganda (Mount Elgon) to central Kenya. Most recent authorities treat it as a subspecies of the moorland francolin. Alternatively, it has been suggested that it is a species (S. elgonensis), a subspecies of the Shelley's francolin (S. shelleyi elgonensis), or even a hybrid between the moorland and red-winged francolins. It was described by Ogilvie-Grant in 1891 as Francolinus elgonensis, and some authorities still use the genus Francolinus for all members otherwise placed in Scleroptila. The Elgon francolin resembles the nominate subspecies of the moorland francolin, but the latter is duller (less rufescent) and has a black-dotted throat.