Grey Francolin

The grey francolin is a ground-living game bird of the plains and drier parts of the Indian subcontinent and Iran, found in open cultivated land and scrub forest. Its local name, teetar, imitates its loud repeated call. During the breeding season, calling males draw challengers, and decoys were once used to trap them for fighting (Wikipedia, general species account).

It was formerly placed in the genus Francolinus and was moved to Ortygornis after a 2019 study of relationships. Three subspecies are recognised. Nationally Near Threatened (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012, listed as Francolinus pondicerianus).