There are 2 families of Galliformes, Family Phasianidae and Family Numididae. The former are francolins, spurfowls and quails, the latter guineafowls.

FAMILY PHASIANIDAE

Family Phasianidae are medium-sized to large cursorial gamebirds that ground feed. They have characteristic short, arched bills, medium to short legs and strong feet, featuring a reduced and raised hind toe. The wings are short and rounded enabling a brief but unsustainable flight. Females lay between 4 and 12 eggs in a nest scraped in the ground. There are 10 species of this family found in Namibia. They are:

• Coqui francolin (Peliperdix coqui)
• Crested francolin (Dendroperdix sephaena sephaena)
• Orange River francolin (Scleroptila levaillantoides)
• Hartlaub's francolin (Pternistis hartlaubi)
• Red-billed spurfowl (Pternistis adspersus)
• Cape spurfowl (Pternistis capensis)
• Red-necked spurfowl (Pternistis afer)
• Swainson's spurfowl (Swainson's spurfowl)
• Common quail (Coturnix coturnix)
• Harlequin quail (Coturnix delegorguei)

FAMILY NUMIDIDAE

Family Numididae are large, brightly coloured gamebirds. They have short and rounded wings on a stout body enabling them to perform short flights. They forage on the ground but can be found roosting in trees. Their range of habitats include dry savannah to forest. Females lay between 4 and 19 eggs in a nest scraped in the ground. A characteristic high-pitched, repetitive, whistling call heralds their presence. There are 2 species of this family found in Namibia. They are:

• Crested guineafowl (Guttera edouardi)
• Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

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