Guineafowl

The guineafowl (/ˈɡɪnifaʊl/; sometimes called "Original Fowl" or guineahen) are a family of birds in the Galliformes order, although some authorities (for example the American Ornithologists' Union) include the guineafowl as a subfamily, Numidinae, of the family Phasianidae. The guineafowl are native to Africa, but the helmeted guineafowl as wild birds have been introduced elsewhere.

Feather of a guineafowl

Taxonomy and systematics

This is a list of guineafowl species, presented in taxonomic order.

• Genus Agelastes
  • White-breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides
  • Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger
• Genus Numida
  • Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
• Genus Guttera
  • Plumed guineafowl, Guttera plumifera
  • Crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
    • Kenya crested guineafowl, Guttera (pucherani) pucherani
    • Crested guineafowl, Guttera (pucherani) edouardi
• Genus Acryillium
  • Vulturine guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum

Description

This family of insect and seed-eating, ground-nesting birds resemble partridges, but with featherless heads, though both members of the genus Guttera have a distinctive black crest, and the vulturine guineafowl has a downy brown patch on the nape. Most species of guineafowl have a dark grey or blackish plumage with dense white spots, but both members of the genus Agelastes lack the spots (as do some Wild variants of the helmeted guineafowl). While several species are relatively well known, the plumed guineafowl and the two members of the genus Agelastes remain relatively poorly known. These large birds measure from 40–71 cm (16–28 inches) in length, and weigh 700–1600 grams or 1.5-3.5 pounds.

Behaviour and ecology

The species for which the information is known are normally monogamous, mating for life; however, occasional exceptions have been recorded for the helmeted guineafowl. All guineafowl are social, and typically live in small groups.

Distribution and habitat

Guinea fowl species are found across sub-Saharan Africa, some almost in the entire range, others more localised, such as the plumed guineafowl in west-central Africa and the vulturine guineafowl in north-east Africa . They live in semi-open habitats such as savanna or semideserts, while some, such as the black guineafowl, mainly inhabit forests.

The helmeted guinea fowl has been introduced in East Africa, the West Indies, the United States, Britain and India, where it is raised as food or pets.

Guineafowl as food

Guineafowl is commonly eaten in parts of Africa (notably Ghana especially the northern part of the country, Nigeria and Botswana), India and the United States (notably in the state of Georgia). It is consumed at Christmas in some parts of Central and Northern Europe (notably in Belgium and the UK). It is also eaten in Italy.

Guineafowl meat is drier and leaner than chicken meat and has a gamey flavour. It has marginally more protein than chicken or turkey, roughly half the fat of chicken and slightly fewer calories per gram. Guineafowl eggs are substantially richer than chicken eggs.

• 
  Crested guineafowl in South Africa
• 
  Head of a vulturine guineafowl
• 
  Helmeted guineafowl in Namibia

Further reading

• Madge and McGowan, Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
• Martínez, I. (1994). "Family Numididae (Guineafowl)", p. 554–570 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 2. New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-15-6

External links

• Guineafowl videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• SPPA article on Guinea Fowl Early Birds: Guinea Fowl by Dennis Headley