Francolins are birds that traditionally have been placed in the genus Francolinus, but now commonly are divided into multiple genera, although some of the major taxonomic listing sources have yet to divide them. They are members of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. When all are maintained in a single genus, it is the most diverse of the Galliformes, having by far the most members. Francolins are terrestrial (though not flightless) birds that feed on insects, vegetable matter and seeds. Most of the members have
a hooked upper beak, tails with fourteen feathers and in many of them the male has spurs on the tarsi.

Francolinus were divided into 4 new genera: Francolin for the Asian species, and the African species divided into Peliperdix,
Scleroptila and Pternistis.

Twelve of the species which occur in Africa are found in the subcontinental region of southern Africa; of these, seven occur in
varying proportions within the political boundaries of Namibia. Six southern African francolins are considered endemic to the
subcontinent, of which three are found in Namibia (Hartlaub's Francolin, Pternistis hartlaubi, Red-billed Spurfowl, Pternistis
adspersus and Orange River Francolin, Scleroptila levaillantoides ). The Cape Francolin, Pternistis capensis, endemic to the
Cape Province of South Africa occurs marginally in southern Namibia. Several species have been introduced to other parts of the
world, notably Hawaii.