A Guide to the Creatures of Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea's harsh environment seems an unlikely place for any animal to choose to call home. However, a wide variety of bird species, grazing ungulates and many bugs and insects can be found on Mauna Kea's upper slopes, one of the driest climates in the world. Below are the beginnings of our documentation of these creatures. More soon to come!








Species: Francolinus erckelii
Common Name: Erckel’s Francolin

The Erckel’s Francolin, or Francolinus erckelii, is a type of partridge in the Phasianidae family. It’s native to the area around Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan, where it is now endangered. The birds prefer grassy or brushy areas, and can live anywhere from sea level up to about the elevation of the Visitor Information Station on Mauna Kea at the 9,200’ level, however they’re sometimes spotted ranging as high as the 13,796’ summit of the mountain. The Erckel’s Francolin is one of the many game birds which have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.

The birds are usually about 12 – 20 inches tall, and both the male and female have a brightly colored reddish-brown cap which makes them relatively easy to identify. It’s possible to tell males from females by the fact that males are usually larger and also by looking at the spurs on their legs. Males normally have larger, sometimes double spurs, whereas females have smaller, single spurs, or are sometimes lacking spurs. Female Erckel’s Francolins lay clutches of seven to twelve spotted eggs, which hatch in 21-23 days.