Black francolin: Red Data Book of Armenia

Pheasants - Phasianidae

Status. A vulnerable species of low numbers. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Data Deficient DD.

Distribution. Distributed on the island of Cyprus and in Asia Minor eastwards to Northern Iraq, Northwestern Iran and the southern fringes of the Caspian Sea.

Distribution in Armenia. Occurs only in the Meghri district.

Habitats. Lives in dense riparian shrublands or tall grasses alternating with reedbeds. In the Meghri district, inhabits the Arax riverside.

Biological traits. Non–migratory. Nestles in shrubs. Feeds on sprouts, fruits, seeds and insects, gathering them from the ground and twigs. Eight to twelve eggs are laid once a year.

Population size and its trends. Available information is insufficient to judge about the population size. In 2008, francolins were kept at the Yerevan Zoo.

Major threats. Patrolling regime in the borderline zone of the francolin range makes poaching impossible. Disturbance by humans and livestock during the nesting season is also limited.

Conservation measures. It is essential to carry out the studies of human impacts on the population and to raise awareness of local border patrolling personnel.