Francolins are birds of the pheasant family that subsist on plants and insects. This yellow-necked francolin is one of the largest francolin species in East Africa, measuring 33-40 cm. The male weighs nearly one kilogram, and has spurs on its hind legs, which has given it one of its English names ('spurfowl'). It is named after the yellow throat patch on its neck, which makes it unique (most other francolins have red throat patches). The male often sings from an elevation in the ground, e.g. a stone or a termite mound. The most important feature of this species' diet seems to be sedge tubers.