View source for Galliformes

{{Short description|Order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds}}
{{more footnotes|date=November 2015}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| fossil_range = [[Eocene]]-Recent, {{fossilrange|55|0|earliest=55}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mourer-Chauviré |display-authors=etal |year=2013 |title=A new taxon of stem group Galliformes and the earliest record for stem group Cuculidae from the Eocene of Djebel Chambi, Tunisia| journal= Proceed. 8th Inter Nat. Meeting Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution| url=http://verlag.nhm-wien.ac.at/buecher/2013_SAPE_Proceedings/01_Mourer-Chauvire_et_al.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020021512/http://verlag.nhm-wien.ac.at/buecher/2013_SAPE_Proceedings/01_Mourer-Chauvire_et_al.pdf|archive-date=20 October 2023}}</ref>{{full citation|date=April 2022}}<br/>
<small>Possible earlier origin based on [[molecular clock]]<ref name=Kuhletal2020>{{cite journal | first1 = H. | last1 = Kuhl. | first2 = C. | last2 = Frankl-Vilches | first3 = A. | last3 = Bakker | first4 = G. | last4 = Mayr | first5 = G. | last5 = Nikolaus | first6 = S. T. | last6 = Boerno | first7 = S. | last7 = Klages | first8 = B. | last8 = Timmermann | first9 = M. | last9 = Gahr | year = 2020 | title = An unbiased molecular approach using 3'UTRs resolves the avian family-level tree of life. | journal = Molecular Biology and Evolution | volume = 38 | pages = 108–127 | doi = 10.1093/molbev/msaa191 | pmid = 32781465 | pmc = 7783168 | doi-access = free }}</ref></small>
| image = Galliformes-01.jpg
| image_caption = Clockwise from top left: [[Indian peafowl]] (''Pavo cristatus''),  [[red junglefowl]] (''Gallus gallus''), [[golden pheasant]] (''Chrysolophus pictus''), [[red-legged partridge]] (''Alectoris rufa''), [[Gunnison grouse]] (''Centrocercus minimus''), [[wild turkey]] (''Meleagris gallopavo''), [[great curassow]] (''Crax rubra''), [[helmeted guineafowl]] (''Numida meleagris'')
| taxon = Galliformes
| authority = [[Coenraad Jacob Temminck|Temminck]], 1820
| subdivision_ranks = Extant families
| subdivision = ;* [[Megapodiidae]]
;* [[Cracidae]]
* Superfamily [[Phasianoidea]]
** [[Odontophoridae]]
** [[Numididae]]
** [[Phasianidae]]
| synonyms = Phasianiformes
}}

'''Galliformes''' {{IPAc-en|ˌ|g|æ|l|ᵻ|ˈ|f|ɔr|m|iː|z}} is an [[order (biology)|order]] of heavy-bodied ground-feeding [[bird]]s that includes [[turkey (bird)|turkeys]], [[chicken]]s, [[Old World quail|quail]], and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often reared by humans for their meat and eggs, or hunted as game birds.

The order contains about 290&nbsp;[[species]], inhabiting every [[continent]] except Antarctica, and divided into five [[Family (biology)|families]]: [[Phasianidae]] (including chicken, quail, [[partridge]]s, [[pheasant]]s, turkeys, [[peafowl]] (peacocks) and [[grouse]]), [[Odontophoridae]] (New World quail), [[Numididae]] (guinea fowl), [[Cracidae]] (including chachalacas and curassows), and [[Megapodiidae]] (incubator birds like [[malleefowl]] and [[Brushturkey|brush-turkeys]]). They adapt to most environments except for innermost [[desert]]s and perpetual ice.

Many gallinaceous species are skilled runners and escape predators by running rather than flying. Males of most species are more colorful than the females, with often elaborate courtship behaviors that include strutting, fluffing of tail or head feathers, and vocal sounds. They are mainly nonmigratory. Several species have been [[domesticated]] during their long and extensive relationships with humans.

The name ''galliformes'' derives from "[[Junglefowl|gallus]]", Latin for "[[Chicken|rooster]]". Common names are '''gamefowl''' or '''gamebirds''', '''landfowl''', '''gallinaceous birds''', or '''galliforms'''. Galliforms and waterfowl (order [[Anseriformes]]) are collectively called ''fowl''.

== Systematics and evolution ==
[[File:Gall-dindi.jpg|thumb|left|Despite its distinct appearance, the [[wild turkey]] is actually a very close relative of [[pheasant]]s]]
The living Galliformes were once divided into seven or more [[family (biology)|families]]. Despite their distinctive appearance, grouse and [[Meleagris|turkeys]] probably do not warrant separation as families due to their recent origin from [[partridge]]- or [[pheasant]]-like birds. The turkeys became larger after their ancestors colonized temperate and subtropical [[North America]], where pheasant-sized competitors were absent. The ancestors of grouse, though, adapted to harsh climates and could thereby colonize [[subarctic]] regions. Consequently, the [[Phasianidae]] are expanded in current taxonomy to include the former [[Tetraonidae]] and [[Meleagrididae]] as [[subfamily|subfamilies]].<ref>Kimball ''et al.'' (1999), Dyke et al. (2003), Smith ''et al.'' (2005), Crowe ''et al.'' (2006a,b)</ref>

The [[Anseriformes]] ([[waterfowl]]) and the Galliformes together make up the [[Galloanserae]]. They are [[basal (evolution)|basal]] among the living [[Neognathae|neognathous]] birds, and normally follow the [[Paleognathae]] (ratites and tinamous) in modern bird classification systems. This was first proposed in the [[Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy]] and has been the one major change of that proposed scheme that was almost universally adopted. However, the Galliformes as they were traditionally delimited are called '''Gallomorphae''' in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, which splits the [[Cracidae]] and [[Megapodiidae]] as an [[order (biology)|order]] "'''Craciformes'''". This is not a natural group, however, but rather an erroneous result of the now-obsolete [[phenetic]] methodology employed in the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy.<ref>Smith ''et al.'' (2005), Crowe ''et al.'' (2006a,b)</ref> Phenetic studies do not distinguish between [[plesiomorph]]ic and [[apomorph]]ic characters, which leads to [[basal (evolution)|basal]] lineages appearing as [[monophyletic]] groups.

Historically, the [[buttonquail]]s (Turnicidae), [[mesite]]s (Mesitornithidae) and the [[hoatzin]] (''Opisthocomus hoazin'') were placed in the Galliformes, too. The former are now known to be [[Charadriiformes|shorebirds]] adapted to an inland lifestyle, whereas the mesites are probably closely related to [[Columbidae|pigeons and doves]]. The relationships of the hoatzin are entirely obscure, and it is usually treated as a [[monotypic]] order Opisthocomiformes to signify this.

The fossil record for the Galliformes is incomplete.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jackson|first=Christine E.|title=Peacock|url=https://archive.org/details/peacockreaktionb00jack|url-access=limited|year=2006|pages=[https://archive.org/details/peacockreaktionb00jack/page/n16 15]|publisher=Reaktion Books |isbn=9781861892935}}</ref>

{{Cladogram
|caption=Phylogeny of the Galliformes based a study by De Chen and collaborators published in 2021.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1=Chen | first1=D. | last2=Hosner | first2=P.A. | last3=Dittmann | first3=D.L. | last4=O’Neill | first4=J.P. | last5=Birks | first5=S.M. | last6=Braun | first6=E.L. | last7=Kimball | first7=R.T. | date=2021 | title=Divergence time estimation of Galliformes based on the best gene shopping scheme of ultraconserved elements | journal=BMC Ecology and Evolution | volume=21 | issue=1 | pages=209 | doi=10.1186/s12862-021-01935-1 | pmid=34809586 | pmc=8609756 | doi-access=free }}</ref> The number of species are from the list maintained by [[Frank Gill (ornithologist)|Frank Gill]], [[Pamela Rasmussen]] and David Donsker on behalf of the [[International Ornithologists' Union]].<ref name=ioc-megapodes>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | date=24 December 2023 | title=Megapodes, guans, guineafowl, New World quail | work=IOC World Bird List Version 14.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/megapodes/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | accessdate=27 May 2024 }}</ref><ref name=ioc-pheasants>{{cite web| editor1-last=Gill | editor1-first=Frank | editor1-link=Frank Gill (ornithologist) | editor2-last=Donsker | editor2-first=David | editor3-last=Rasmussen | editor3-first=Pamela | editor3-link=Pamela Rasmussen | date=24 December 2023 | title=Pheasants, partridges, francolins | work=IOC World Bird List Version 14.1 | url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/pheasants/ | publisher=International Ornithologists' Union | accessdate=27 May 2024 }}</ref>
|align=centre
|cladogram={{Clade| style=font-size:100%;line-height:80%;width:550px;
|1={{clade
   |label1=Galliformes
   |1={{clade
      |1={{clade
         |1=[[Megapodiidae]] – megapodes (7 genera, 21 extant species) [[File:Annales des sciences naturelles (1881) (Aepypodius bruijnii).jpg|40 px]]
         |2={{clade
            |1=[[Cracidae]] – chachalacas, curassows, guans (11 genera, 57 species) [[File:Mitu mitu white background.jpg|30 px]]
            |2={{clade
               |1=[[Numididae]] – guineafowl (4 genera, 8 species) [[File:Keulemans Onze vogels 1 57 white background.jpg|40 px]]
               |2={{clade
                  |1=[[Odontophoridae]] – New World quail (10 genera, 34 species) [[File:D'Orbigny-Colin de Californie.jpg|30 px]]
                  |2=[[Phasianidae]] – pheasants & allies (54 genera, 188 species) [[File:Red Junglefowl by George Edward Lodge white background.png|40 px]]
                  }}
               }}
            }}
         }}
      }}
   }}
}}
}}

=== Evolution ===
[[Galloanserae]]-like birds were one of the main survivors of the [[K-T Event]], that killed off the rest of the dinosaurs. The dominant birds of the dinosaur era were the [[enantiornithes]], toothed birds that dominated the trees and skies. Unlike those enantiornithes, the ancestors of the galliformes were a niche group that were toothless and ground-dwelling. When the asteroid impact killed off all non-avian dinosaurs, and the dominant birds, it destroyed all creatures that lived in trees and on open ground. The enantiornithes were wiped out, but the ancestors of galliformes were small and lived in the ground (unlike water for [[Anseriformes]]) which protected them from the blast and destruction.<ref>[https://www.science.org/content/article/quaillike-creature-was-only-bird-survive-dinosaur-killing-asteroid-impact Quaillike creatures were the only birds to survive the dinosaur-killing asteroid impact]</ref>

[[Fossil]]s of these galliform-like birds originate in the [[Late Cretaceous]], most notably those of ''[[Austinornis lentus]]''. Its partial left [[tarsometatarsus]] was found in the [[Austin Chalk]] near [[Fort McKinney, Texas]], dating to about 85 million years ago (Mya). This bird was quite certainly closely related to Galliformes, but whether it was a part of these or belongs elsewhere in the little-known galliform branch of Galloanserae is not clear. However, in 2004, Clarke classified it as a member of the larger group [[Pangalliformes]], more closely related to chickens than to ducks, but not a member of the [[crown group]] that includes all modern galliformes.<ref>Clarke (2004)</ref> Another specimen, [[PVPH]] 237, from the Late Cretaceous [[Portezuelo Formation]] ([[Turonian]]-[[Coniacian]], about 90 Mya) in the [[Sierra de Portezuelo]] ([[Argentina]]) has also been suggested to be an early galliform relative. This is a partial [[coracoid]] of a neornithine bird, which in its general shape and particularly the wide and deep attachment for the muscle joining the coracoid and the [[humerus]] bone resembles the more [[basal (evolution)|basal]] lineages of galliforms.<ref>Agnolin ''et al.'' (2006)</ref>

Additional galliform-like pangalliformes are represented by [[extinct]] families from the [[Paleogene]], namely the [[Gallinuloididae]], [[Paraortygidae]] and [[Quercymegapodiidae]]. In the early [[Cenozoic]], some additional birds may or may not be early Galliformes, though even if they are, they are unlikely to belong to extant families:
* †''[[Argillipes]]'' (London Clay Early Eocene of England)<!-- AmMusNovit3360. Auk98:199. -->
* †''[[Coturnipes]]'' (Early Eocene of England, and Virginia, USA?)<!-- AmMusNovit3360. -->
* †''[[Palaeophasianus]]'' (Willwood Early Eocene of Bighorn County, USA)
* †''[[Percolinus]]'' (London Clay Early Eocene of England)<!-- AmMusNovit3360. -->
* †''[[Amitabha (bird)|Amitabha]]'' (Bridger middle Eocene of Forbidden City, USA) – phasianid?
* †''"Palaeorallus" alienus'' (middle Oligocene of Tatal-Gol, Mongolia)<!-- BullAMNH151:1 -->
* †''[[Anisolornis]]'' (Santa Cruz Middle Miocene of Karaihen, Argentina)<!-- BullAMNH151:1. Evolution39:1174. -->

From the mid-[[Eocene]] onwards – about 45 Mya or so, true galliforms are known, and these completely replace their older relatives in the early [[Neogene]]. Since the earliest representatives of living galliform families apparently belong to the [[Phasianidae]] – the youngest family of galliforms, the other families of Galliformes must be at least of [[Early Eocene]] origin but might even be as old as the Late Cretaceous. The [[ichnotaxon]] ''Tristraguloolithus cracioides'' is based on fossil eggshell fragments from the Late Cretaceous [[Oldman Formation]] of southern [[Alberta]], Canada, which are similar to [[chachalaca]] eggs,<ref>Zelenitsky ''et al.'' (1996)</ref> but in the absence of bone material, their relationships cannot be determined except that they are apparently [[Bird|avian]] in origin.

Modern genera of phasianids start appearing around the [[Oligocene]]-[[Miocene]] boundary, roughly 25–20 Mya. It is not well known whether the living genera of the other, older, galliform families originated around the same time or earlier, though at least in the New World quail, pre-Neogene forms seem to belong to genera that became entirely extinct later on.

A number of Paleogene to mid-Neogene fossils are quite certainly Galliformes, but their exact relationships in the order cannot be determined:

* †Galliformes gen. et sp. indet. (Oligocene) – formerly in ''Gallinuloides''; phasianid?<ref>Specimen [[Museum of Comparative Zoology|MCZ]] 342506. A [[Anatomical terms of location#Proximal and distal|proximal]] [[humerus]] of a bird larger than ''[[Gallinuloides]]'': Mayr & Weidig (2004)</ref>
* †''[[Palaealectoris]]'' (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, USA) – tetraonine?<!-- ActaZoolCracov45:S263. Condor32:152. -->

=== List of major taxa ===
{{See also|List of Galliformes}}
For a long time, the pheasants, partridges, and relatives were indiscriminately lumped in the Phasianidae, variously including or excluding turkeys, grouse, New World quail, and guineafowl, and divided into two [[subfamily|subfamilies]] – the [[Phasianinae]] (pheasant-like forms) and the [[Perdicinae]] (partridge-like forms). This crude arrangement was long considered to be in serious need of revision, but even with modern [[DNA sequence]] analyses and [[cladistic]] methods, the [[phylogeny]] of the Phasianidae has resisted complete resolution.<ref name = kimball9901+crowe06ab>Kimball ''et al.'' (1999, 2001), Crowe ''et al.'' (2006a,b)</ref>
[[File:Palaeortyx.jpg|thumb|''[[Palaeortyx]]'' skeleton, {{Lang|fr|[[Muséum national d'histoire naturelle]]}}, Paris]]

A tentative list of the higher-level galliform [[taxa]], listed in evolutionary sequence, is:<ref name = kimball9901+crowe06ab /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Taxonomic Updates – IOC World Bird List|url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/updates/taxonomy/|access-date=2021-08-01|language=en-US}}</ref>
* †''[[Archaeophasianus]]'' <small>Lambrecht 1933</small> (Oligocene? – Late Miocene)<!--ActaZoolCracov45:S263. Condor54:174. -->
* †''[[Argillipes]]'' <small>Harrison & Walker 1977</small>
* †''[[Austinornis]]'' <small>Clarke 2004</small> [''[[Pedioecetes]]'' <small>Baird 1858</small>] (Austin Chalk Late Cretaceous of Fort McKinney, USA)<!-- AmMusNovit62:1,286:1.  -->
* †''[[Chambiortyx]]'' <small>Mourer-Chauviré et al. 2013</small>
* †''[[Coturnipes]]'' <small>Harrison & Walker 1977</small>
* †''[[Cyrtonyx tedfordi]]'' (Barstow Late Miocene of Barstow, USA)<!--  Condor54:296; Condor60:252. -->
* †''[[Linquornis]]'' <small>Yeh 1980</small> (middle Miocene)
* †''[[Namaortyx]]'' <small>Mourer-Chauviré, Pickford & 2011</small>
* †''[[Palaeorallus alienus]]'' <small>Kuročkin 1968 nomen dubium</small>
* †''[[Sobniogallus]]'' <small>Tomek et al. 2014</small>
* †''[[Tristraguloolithus]]'' <small>Zelenitsky, Hills & Curri 1996</small> [ootaxa- cracid?]
* †''[[Procrax]]'' <small>Tordoff & Macdonald 1957</small> (middle Eocene? – Early Oligocene)<!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211. -->
* †''[[Paleophasianus]]'' <small>Wetmore 1940</small>
* †''[[Taoperdix]]'' <small>Milne-Edwards 1869</small> (Late Oligocene)<!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211. ActaZoolCracov45:S263. -->
* Family †[[Gastornithidae]]?<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=McInerney |first1=Phoebe L. |last2=Blokland |first2=Jacob C. |last3=Worthy |first3=Trevor H. |date=2024-06-02 |title=Skull morphology of the enigmatic Genyornis newtoni Stirling and Zeitz, 1896 (Aves, Dromornithidae), with implications for functional morphology, ecology, and evolution in the context of Galloanserae |journal=Historical Biology |language=en |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=1093–1165 |doi=10.1080/08912963.2024.2308212 |issn=0891-2963|doi-access=free }}</ref> <small>Fürbringer, 1888</small>
** ''[[Gastornis]]'' <small>Hébert, 1855 (vide Prévost, 1855)</small> [Diatryma <small>Cope, 1876] (</small>Paleocene-Eocene) 
*Family †[[Sylviornithidae]]?<ref name=":2" /> <small>Mourer-Chauviré & Balouet, 2005</small>
**†''[[Sylviornis]]'' <small>Poplin, 1980</small> (Holocene)
**†''[[Megavitiornis]]'' <small>Worthy, 2000</small> (Holocene)

* Family †[[Paraortygidae]] <small>Mourer-Chauviré 1992</small><!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211; JOrnithol147:31 -->
** †''[[Pirortyx]]'' <small>Brodkorb 1964</small>
** †''[[Scopelortyx]]'' <small>Mourer-Chauviré, Pickford & Senut 2015</small>
** †''[[Paraortyx]]'' <small>Gaillard 1908 sensu Brodkorb 1964</small>
** †''[[Xorazmortyx]]'' <small>Zelenkov & Panteleyev 2019</small>
* Family †[[Quercymegapodiidae]] <small>Mourer-Chauviré 1992</small> <!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211 Palaeontology43:481 -->
** †''[[Taubacrex]]'' <small>Alvarenga 1988</small>
** †''[[Ameripodius]]'' <small>Alvarenga 1995</small>
** †''[[Quercymegapodius]]'' <small>Mourer-Chauviré 1992</small>
* Family [[Megapodiidae]] – mound-builders and scrubfowl, or megapodes
** †''[[Mwalau]]'' <small>Worthy et al. 2015</small> (Lini's megapode)
** †''[[Ngawupodius]]'' <small>& Ivison 1999</small>
** ''[[Brushturkey group]]''
*** ''[[Talegalla]]'' <small>Lesson 1828</small>
*** ''[[Leipoa]]'' <small>Gould 1840</small> [''[[Progura]]'' <small>de Vis 1889</small>; ''[[Chosornis]]'' <small>de Vis 1889</small>; ''[[Palaeopelargus]]'' <small>de Vis 1892</small>] (Malleefowl)
*** ''[[Alectura]]'' <small>Gray 1831</small> [''[[Catheturus]]'' <small>Swainson 1837</small>] (Australian Brushturkeys)
*** ''[[Aepypodius]]'' <small>Oustalet 1880</small>
** ''[[Scrubfowl group]]''
*** ''[[Macrocephalon]]'' <small>Müller 1846</small> [''[[Megacephalon]]'' <small>Gray 1846</small>; ''[[Megacephalon]]'' <small>Gray 1844 nomen nudum</small>; ''[[Galeocephala]]'' <small>Mathews 1926</small>] (Maleos)
*** ''[[Eulipoa]]'' <small>Ogilvie-Grant 1893</small> (Moluccan Megapodes)
*** ''[[Megapodius]]'' <small>Gaimard 1823 non (sic) Mathews 1913</small> [''[[Megathelia]]'' <small>Mathews 1914</small>; ''[[Amelous]]'' <small>Gloger 1841</small>]
* Family [[Cracidae]] – chachalacas, guans and curassows
** †''[[Archaealectrornis]]'' <small>Crowe & Short 1992</small> (Oligocene)<!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211. CanJEarthSci39:19 -->
** †''[[Boreortalis]]'' <small>Brodkorb 1954</small>
** †''[[Palaeonossax]]'' <small>Wetmore 1956</small> (Brule Late Oligocene of South Dakota, USA)<!-- *Condor58:234 -->
** [[Penelopinae]] <small>Bonaparte 1851</small> (Guans)
*** ''[[Chamaepetes]]'' <small>Wagler 1832</small> (black & sickle-winged guan)
*** ''[[Penelopina]]'' <small>Reichenbach 1861</small> (Highland Guans)
*** ''[[Aburria]]'' <small>Reichenbach 1853</small> [''[[Opetioptila]]'' <small>Sundevall 1873</small>; ''[[Pipile]]'' <small>Bonaparte 1856 non</small> ''[[Pipilo]]'' <small>Vieillot 1816</small>; ''[[Cumana]]'' <small>Coues 1900</small>]
*** ''[[Penelope (genus)|Penelope]]'' <small>Merrem 1786</small> [''[[Penelopsis]]'' <small>Bonaparte 1856</small>]
** [[Cracinae]] <small>Rafinesque 1815</small>
*** ''[[Ortalis]]'' <small>Merrem 1786</small> [''[[Ganix]]'' <small>Rafinesque 1815</small>] {[[Ortalidini]] <small>Donegan 2012</small>} (Chachalacas)
*** ''[[Oreophasis]]'' <small>Gray 1844</small> {[[Oreophasini]] <small>Bonaparte 1853</small>} (Horned Guans)
*** [[Cracini]] <small>Rafinesque 1815</small> (Curassows)
**** ''[[Nothocrax]]'' <small>Burmeister 1856</small> (Nocturnal Curassows)
**** ''[[Pauxi]]'' <small>Temminck 1813</small> [''[[Ourax]]'' <small>Cuvier 1817</small>; ''[[Lophocerus]]'' <small>Swainson 1837 non Hemprich & Ehrenberg 1833</small>; ''[[Urax]]'' <small>Reichenbach 1850</small>]
**** ''[[Mitu (bird)|Mitu]]'' <small>Lesson 1831</small> (razor-billed curassows)
**** ''[[Crax]]'' <small>Linnaeus 1758</small>
* Suborder [[Phasiani]]
** Family †[[Gallinuloididae]] – tentatively placed here<!-- ActaPalaeontolPol49:211; JOrnithol147:31; Zootaxa199:1 -->
*** †''[[Gallinuloides]]'' <small>Eastman 1900</small> [''[[Palaeobonasa]]'' <small>Shufeldt 1915</small>]
*** †''[[Paraortygoides]]'' <small>Mayr 2000</small>
** Family [[Numididae]] – guineafowl
*** ''[[Guttera]]'' <small>Wagler 1832</small>
*** ''[[Numida]]'' <small>Linnaeus 1764</small> [''[[Querelea]]'' <small>Reichenbach 1852</small>] (Helmeted Guineafowl)
*** ''[[Acryllium]]'' <small>Gray 1840</small> (Vulturine Guineafowl)
*** ''[[Agelastes]]'' <small>Bonaparte 1850</small>
** Family [[Odontophoridae]] – New World quail
*** †''[[Miortyx]]'' <small>Miller 1944</small>
*** †''[[Nanortyx]]'' <small>Weigel 1963</small>
*** †''[[Neortyx]]'' <small>Holman 1961</small>
*** [[Ptilopachinae]] <small>Bowie, Coehn & Crowe 2013</small>
**** ''[[Ptilopachus]]'' <small>Swainson 1837</small>
*** [[Odontophorinae]] <small>Gould 1844</small>
**** ''[[Rhynchortyx]]'' <small>Ogilvie-Grant 1893</small> (Tawny-faced Quail)
**** ''[[Oreortyx]]'' <small>Baird 1858</small> [''[[Orortyx]]'' <small>Coues 1882</small>] (Mountain Quail)
**** ''[[Dendrortyx]]'' <small>Gould 1844</small> (Wood Partridges)
**** ''[[Philortyx]]'' <small>Gould 1846 non Des Murs 1854</small> (Banded Quail)
**** ''[[Colinus]]'' <small>Goldfuss 1820</small> [''[[Eupsychortyx]]'' <small>Gould 1844</small>; ''[[Gnathodon (quail)|Gnathodon]]'' <small>{{ill|August Vollrath Streubel|fi|lt=Streubel}} 1842</small>; ''[[Ortygia]]'' <small>Boie 1826</small>; ''[[Philortyx]]'' <small>Des Murs 1854 non Gould 1846</small>] (Bobwhites)
**** ''[[Callipepla]]'' <small>Wagler 1832</small> [''[[Lophortyx]]'' <small>Bonaparte 1838</small>] ()
**** ''[[Cyrtonyx]]'' <small>Gould 1844</small> ()
**** ''[[Dactylortyx]]'' <small>Ogilvie-Grant 1893</small> (Singing Quail)
**** ''[[Odontophorus]]'' <small>Vieillot 1816</small> [''[[Dentophorus]]'' <small>Boie 1828</small>] (Wood Quail)
** Family [[Phasianidae]] – [[pheasant]]s, [[partridge]]s and relatives
*** †''[[Alectoris” pliocaena]]'' <small>Tugarinov 1940b</small> 
*** †''[[Bantamyx]]'' <small>Kuročkin 1982</small> 
*** †''[[Centuriavis|Centuriavis lioae]]'' <small>Ksepka ''et al.'', 2022</small>
*** †''[[Diangallus]]'' <small>Hou 1985</small>
*** †''[["Gallus" beremendensis]]'' <small>Jánossy 1976b</small>
*** †''[["Gallus" europaeus]]'' <small>Harrison 1978</small> 
*** †''[[Lophogallus]]'' <small>Zelenkov & Kuročkin 2010</small> 
*** †''[[Megalocoturnix]]'' <small>Sánchez Marco 2009</small> 
*** †''[[Miophasianus]]'' <small>Brodkorb 1952</small> [''[[Miophasianus]]'' <small>Lambrecht 1933 nomen nudum</small> ; ''[[Miogallus]]'' <small>Lambrecht 1933</small> ]
*** †''[[Palaeocryptonyx]]'' <small>Depéret 1892</small> [''[[Chauvireria]]'' <small>Boev 1997</small>; ''[[Pliogallus]]'' <small>Tugarinov 1940b non Gaillard 1939</small>; ''[[Lambrechtia]]'' <small>Janossy 1974</small> ]
*** †''[[Palaeortyx]]'' <small>Milne-Edwards 1869</small> [''[[Palaeoperdix]]'' <small>Milne-Edwards 1869</small>]<!-- ActaOrnithol41:129. AnnNHMusWien104A:237. CanJEarthSci39:19. Endins14:95. Geobios2:157,36:719. Palaeontology43:481;48:1331. PaleontogrItal89:3. ZoolJLinnSoc128:149. -->
*** †''[[Plioperdix]]'' <small>Kretzoi 1955</small> [''[[Pliogallus]]'' <small>Tugarinov 1940 nec Gaillard 1939</small>]
*** †''[[Rustaviornis]]'' <small>Burchak-Abramovich & Meladze 1972</small> 
*** †''[[Schaubortyx]]'' <small>Brodkorb 1964</small> 
*** †''[[Shandongornis]]'' <small>Yeh 1997</small> 
*** †''[[Shanxiornis]]'' <small>Wang et al. 2006</small> 
*** †''[[Tologuica]]'' <small>Zelenkov & Kuročkin 2009</small>
*** Subfamily [[Rollulinae]] <small>[[Charles Lucien Bonaparte|Bonaparte]], 1850</small>
*** Subfamily [[Phasianinae]] 
****Tribe [[Lerwini]] <small>[[Hans von Boetticher|von Boetticher]], 1939</small> – snow partridge
****Tribe [[Ithaginini]] <small>Wolters 197</small> – blood pheasant
****Tribe [[Lophophorini]] <small>Gray, 1841</small> – monals, monal-partridges, and tragopans
****Tribe [[Pucrasiini]] <small>Wolters 1976</small> – koklass pheasant
****Tribe [[Meleagridini]] – turkey
****Tribe [[Grouse|Tetraonini]] <small>Leach 1820</small> – grouse
****Tribe [[Rhizotherini]] – long-billed partridges
****Tribe [[Phasianini]] <small>Horsfield 1821</small> – true pheasants and partridges
****
***Subfamily [[Pavoninae]]
****Tribe [[Pavonini]] <small>Rafinesque 1815</small> – peafowl, arguses, and ''Tropicoperdix'' partridges
****Tribe [[Polyplectronini|Polyprectronini]] <small>Blyth 1852</small> – peacock-pheasants, Asian spurfowl, and crimson-headed partridge
****Tribe [[Gallini (bird)|Gallini]] <small>Brehm 1831</small> – junglefowl, bamboo partridges, and true francolins
****Tribe [[Coturnicini]] <small>Reichenbach, 1848</small> - Old World quail, snowcocks, and allies

The relationships of many pheasants and partridges were formerly very badly resolved and much confounded by [[adaptive radiation]] (in the former) and [[convergent evolution]] (in the latter).<ref>Dyke ''et al.'' (2003)</ref> Thus, the bulk of the Phasianidae was alternatively treated as a single subfamily Phasianinae. The grouse, turkeys, true pheasants, etc., would then become [[tribe (biology)|tribes]] of this subfamily, similar to how the Coturnicinae are commonly split into a quail and a spurfowl tribe.<ref>See e.g. the phylogenies in Kimball ''et al.'' (2006) and Crowe ''et al.'' (2006a,b)</ref> In 2021, Kimball ''et al''. found the family to comprise three distinct subfamilies, with two containing multiple genera; these results were followed by the [[International Ornithological Congress]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2021-05-01|title=A phylogenomic supermatrix of Galliformes (Landfowl) reveals biased branch lengths|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1055790321000245|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|language=en|volume=158|pages=107091|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107091|issn=1055-7903|last1=Kimball|first1=Rebecca T.|last2=Hosner|first2=Peter A.|last3=Braun|first3=Edward L.|pmid=33545275|bibcode=2021MolPE.15807091K |s2cid=231963063}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Galliformes|url=http://www.bird-phylogeny.de/superorders/galloanseres/galliformes/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=bird-phylogeny|language=de-DE}}</ref>

The partridge of [[Europe]] is not closely related to other partridge-like Galliformes, as already indicated by its [[sexually dimorphic]] coloration and possession of more than 14 [[rectrices]], traits it shares with the other advanced phasianids. However, among these its relationships are obscure; it is unclear whether it is closer to the turkeys or to certain short-tailed pheasants like ''[[Ithaginis]]'', ''[[Lophophorus]]'', ''[[Pucrasia]]'', and ''[[Tragopan]]''.<ref>Kimball ''et al.'' (1999, 2001), Smith ''et al.'' (2005), Crowe ''et al.'' (2006a,b)</ref> In 2021, Kimball ''et al''. found it to belong to the subfamily [[Phasianini]], alongside the true pheasants.<ref name=":1" />

==Phylogeny==
Living Galliformes based on the work by John Boyd.<ref name="Boyd">John Boyd's website [http://www.helsinki.fi/~mhaaramo/] {{cite web |last=Boyd |first=John |year=2007 |title=GALLIFORMES- Landfowl'' |url=http://jboyd.net/Taxo/List2.html |access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref>

{| class="collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; border:solid 1px #aaa"
|-
! style="background:#F0F2F5" | Galliformes classification
|-
|
{{clade|style=font-size:80%;line-height:80%
|1={{clade
  |1={{clade
  |label1=[[Megapodiidae]] |sublabel1=(bushturkeys)
  |1={{Clade
    |1={{Clade
      |1=''[[Talegalla]]''
      |2={{Clade
        |1=''[[Leipoa]]''[[File:Lipoaocellata flipped.JPG|60px]]
        |2={{Clade
          |1=''[[Alectura]]''
          |2=''[[Aepypodius]]''[[File:Annales des sciences naturelles (1881) (Aepypodius bruijnii).jpg|60px]]
           }}
         }}
       }}
    |2={{Clade
      |1=''[[Macrocephalon]]''[[File:Maleo bird white background.PNG|60px]]
      |2={{Clade
        |1=''[[Eulipoa]]''[[File:PaintedMegapode white background.jpg|40px]]
        |2=''[[Megapodius]]''[[File:MegapodiusMacgillivrayiiSmit white background.jpg|60px]]
         }}
       }}
     }}
     }}
  |2={{Clade
    |label1=[[Cracidae]]
    |1={{Clade
      |label1=[[Penelopinae]] |sublabel1=(guans)
      |1={{Clade
        |1=''[[Chamaepetes]]''
        |2={{Clade
          |1=''[[Penelopina]]''
          |2={{Clade
            |1=''[[Aburria]]''
            |2=''[[Penelope (genus)|Penelope]]''[[File:Avium Species Novae (Penelope jacquacu).jpg|40px]]
             }}
           }}
         }}
      |label2=[[Cracinae]] |sublabel2=(curassows)
      |2={{Clade
        |1=''[[Ortalis]]''[[File:Avium Species Novae (Ortalis guttata).jpg|60px]]
        |2={{Clade
          |1=''[[Oreophasis]]''[[File:Oreophasis Gray white background.jpg|60px]]
          |label2=[[Cracini]]
          |2={{Clade
            |1=''[[Nothocrax]]''[[File:Avium Species Novae (Nothocrax urumutum).jpg|60px]]
            |2={{Clade
              |1=''[[Pauxi]]''[[File:Hocco à pierre.jpg|60px]]
              |2={{Clade
                |1=''[[Mitu (bird)|Mitu]]''[[File:Mitu mitu white background.jpg|60px]]
                |2=''[[Crax]]''[[File:CraxAlbertiMWolf flipped.jpg|60px]]
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
         }}
       }}
    |label2=[[Phasiani]]
    |2={{Clade
      |label1=[[Numididae]] |sublabel1=(guineafowl)
      |1={{Clade
        |1=''[[Guttera]]''
        |2={{Clade
          |1=''[[Numida]]''[[File:Keulemans Onze vogels 1 57 white background.jpg|60px]]
          |2={{Clade
            |1=''[[Acryllium]]''[[File:Acryllium vulturinum white background.jpg|60px]]
            |2=''[[Agelastes]]''[[File:Agelastes meleagrides white background.jpg|60px]]
             }}
           }}
         }}
      |label2=[[Phasianoidea]]
      |2={{Clade
        |label1=[[Odontophoridae]] |sublabel1=(New World quail)
        |1={{Clade
          |1=''[[Ptilopachus]]''[[File:Remarques sur l'ornithologie de l'État indépendant du Congo (Pl. X) (white background).jpg|60px]]
          |label2=[[Odontophorinae]]
          |2={{Clade
            |1=''[[Rhynchortyx]]''[[File:Rhynchortyx cinctus white background.jpg|40px]]
            |2={{Clade
              |1={{Clade
                |1=''[[Cyrtonyx]]''[[File:Cyrtonyx montezumae 1831 white background.jpg|40px]]
                |2={{Clade
                  |1=''[[Dactylortyx]]''
                  |2=''[[Odontophorus]]''[[File:Odontophorus leucolaemusCJ-AvesP74A white background.jpg|40px]]
                   }}
                 }}
              |2={{Clade
                |1=''[[Oreortyx]]''[[File:Oreortyx pictusGBP14A white background.jpg|30px]]
                |2={{Clade
                  |1=''[[Dendrortyx]]''
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=''[[Philortyx]]''
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Colinus]]''[[File:The Auk (1898) (Colinus virginianus).jpg|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Callipepla]]''[[File:D'Orbigny-Colin de Californie.jpg|40px]]
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
        |label2=[[Phasianidae]]
        |2={{Clade
          |1={{Clade
          |label1=[[Rollulinae]]
          |1={{Clade
            |1=?''[[Melanoperdix]]''
            |2=?''[[Rhizothera]]''
            |3=''[[Xenoperdix]]''
            |4={{Clade
              |1=''[[Arborophila]]''[[File:ArboricolaGingicaKeulemans white background.jpg|40px]]
              |2={{Clade
                |1=''[[Rollulus]]''[[File:Rollulus rouloul male 1838 white background.jpg|40px]]
                |2=''[[Caloperdix]]''[[File:Caloperdix oculeus Hardwicke white background.jpg|40px]]
                 }}
               }}
             }}
             }}
          |2={{Clade
            |label1=[[Pavoninae]]
            |1={{Clade
              |1=''[[Tropicoperdix]]''
              |2={{clade
              |label1=[[Coturnicini]] |sublabel1=(Old World quail & partridges)
              |1={{Clade
                |1={{Clade
                  |1=''[[Ammoperdix]]''[[File:Ammoperdix griseogularis 1849 white background.jpg|40px]]
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Synoicus]]''[[File:Coturnix novaezelandiae white background.jpg|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Excalfactoria]]''[[File:Excalfactoria chinensis.jpg|40px]]
                       }}
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Anurophasis]]''[[File:Snow Mountains Quail white background.JPG|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Margaroperdix]]''[[File:Margaroperdix madagarensis 1838 white background.jpg|40px]]
                      |3=''[[Coturnix]]''
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                |2={{Clade
                  |1={{Clade
                    |1=''[[Tetraogallus]]''[[File:Tetraogallus caucasicus white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2=''[[Alectoris]]''[[File:Alectoris chukar hm white background.jpg|40px]]
                     }}
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=''?[[Pternistis]]''[[File:FrancolinusTetraoninusKeulemans flipped.jpg|40px]]
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=†''[[Ophrysia]]''[[File:Ophrysia superciliosa white background.jpg|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Perdicula]]''[[File:Perdicula erythrorhyncha hm white background.jpg|40px]]
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
                 }}
              |3={{Clade        
                |1={{clade
                |label1=[[Gallini (bird)|Gallini]] |sublabel1=(junglefowl & francolins)
                |1={{Clade
                  |1={{Clade
                    |1=''[[Bambusicola]]''[[File:BirdsAsiaJohnGoVIGoul white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2=''[[Gallus (genus)|Gallus]]''[[File:Red Junglefowl by George Edward Lodge white background.png|60px]]
                     }}
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=''[[Scleroptila]]''[[File:FrancolinusCrawshayiKeulemans white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Peliperdix]]''[[File:FrancolinusAlbogularisSmit white background.jpg|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Francolinus]]''[[File:Francolinus francolinus hm white background.jpg|40px]]
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                   }}
                |2={{Clade
                  |label1=[[Pavonini]] |sublabel1=(peafowl and arguses)
                  |1={{Clade
                    |1={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Rheinardia]]''[[File:Bulletin de la Société nationale d'acclimatation de France white background.jpg|80px]]
                      |2=''[[Argusianus]]''[[File:BorneanArgusThorburn white background.jpg|80px]]
                       }}
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Afropavo]]''[[File:Galloperdix spadicea spadicea Hardwicke white background.jpg|40px]]
                      |2=''[[Pavo (genus)|Pavo]]''[[File:Blauwe pauw white background.jpeg|80px]]
                       }}
                     }}
                  |label2=[[Polyplectronini]]
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=''?[[Galloperdix]]''
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1= ''[[Haematortyx]]''
                      |2=''[[Polyplectron]]''[[File:Polyplectron napoleonis 1838 white background.jpg|40px]]
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
            |label2=[[Phasianinae]]
            |2={{Clade
              |1=''[[Ithaginis]]''[[File:Ithaginis cruentus 1838 white background.jpg|40px]]
              |2={{Clade
                |1={{clade
                |label1=[[Lophophorini]] |sublabel1=(tragopans & monals)
                |1={{Clade
                  |1=''[[Tragopan]]''[[File:CeriornisBlythiiKeulemans white background.jpg|40px]]
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=?''[[Lerwa]]''[[File:Lerwa nivicola white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2=''[[Tetraophasis]]''[[File:Tetraophasis-obscurus white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |3=''[[Lophophorus]]''[[File:Lophophorus impejanus male 1838 white background.jpg|40px]]
                     }}
                   }}
                   }}
                |2={{Clade
                  |label1=[[Phasianini]] |sublabel1=(true pheasants)
                  |1={{Clade
                    |1=''?[[Perdix]]''[[File:Rapphöna, Iduns kokbok white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Syrmaticus]]''[[File:Syrmaticus reevesii 1838 flipped.jpg|80px]]
                      |2={{Clade
                        |1={{Clade
                          |1=''[[Phasianus]]''[[File:FMIB 42017 Mongolian Pheasant white background.jpeg|60px]]
                          |2=''[[Chrysolophus]]''[[File:Cuvier-61-Faisan doré.jpg|60px]]
                           }}
                        |2={{Clade
                          |1=''[[Lophura]]''
                          |2={{Clade
                            |1=''[[Cheer pheasant|Catreus]]''[[File:BirdsAsiaJohnGoVIIGoul Catreus wallichii.jpg|60px]]
                            |2=''[[Crossoptilon]]''[[File:Crossoptilon auritum white background.jpg|40px]]
                             }}
                           }}
                         }}
                       }}
                     }}
                  |label2=[[Tetraonini]] |sublabel2=(turkeys & grouse)
                  |2={{Clade
                    |1=''[[Pucrasia]]''[[File:Pucrasia macrolopha xanthospila white background.jpg|40px]]
                    |2={{Clade
                      |1=''[[Meleagris]]''[[File:Nederlandsche vogelen (KB) - Meleagris gallopavo (white background).jpg|60px]]
                      |2={{Clade
                        |1=''[[Bonasa]]''
                        |2={{Clade
                          |1=''[[Tetrastes]]''
                          |2={{Clade
                            |label1=[[Centrocercina]]
                            |1={{Clade
                              |1=''[[Centrocercus]]''
                              |2={{Clade
                                |1=''[[Dendragapus]]''
                                |2=''[[Tympanuchus]]''
                                 }}
                               }}
                            |label2=[[Tetraonina]]
                            |2={{Clade
                              |1=''[[Lagopus]]''
                              |2={{Clade
                                |1=''[[Falcipennis]]''
                                |2={{Clade
                                  |1=''[[Canachites]]''
                                  |2={{Clade
                                    |1=''[[Tetrao]]''
                                    |2=''[[Lyrurus]]''
                                     }}
                                   }}
                                 }}
                               }}
                             }}
                           }}
                         }}
                       }}
                     }}
                   }}
                 }}
               }}
             }}
           }}
         }}
       }}
     }}
   }}
}}
|}

== Description ==
[[File:Male and female pheasant.jpg|thumb|left|Female (left) and male [[common pheasant]]s: [[Sexual dimorphism]] is conspicuous in this species, one of the most [[apomorph]]ic gamefowl]]
As their name suggests they are chicken-like in appearance, with rounded bodies and blunt wings, and range in size from small at 15&nbsp;cm (6 inches) to large at 120&nbsp;cm (4&nbsp;feet). They are mainly terrestrial birds and their wings are short and rounded for short-distance flight. Galliforms are [[anisodactyly|anisodactyl]] like [[passerine]]s, but some of the adult males grow spurs that point backwards.

Gallinaceous birds are arboreal or terrestrial animals; many prefer not to fly, but instead walk and run for locomotion. They live 5–8 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} They can be found worldwide and in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and grasslands. They use visual displays and vocalizations for communication, courtship, fighting, territoriality, and brooding.

They have diverse mating strategies: some are monogamous, while others are [[Animal sexual behaviour#Polygamy|polygamous]] or [[polygynandrous]]. Male courtship behavior includes elaborate visual displays of plumage. They breed seasonally in accordance with the climate and lay three to 16 eggs per year in nests built on the ground or in trees.

Gallinaceous birds feed on a variety of plant and animal material, which may include fruits, seeds, leaves, shoots, flowers, tubers, roots, insects, snails, worms, lizards, snakes, small rodents, and eggs.

These birds vary in size from the diminutive [[king quail]] (''Coturnix chinensis'') (5&nbsp;in) long and weighing 28–40&nbsp;g (1–1.4&nbsp;oz) to the largest extant galliform species, the [[North America]]n [[wild turkey]] (''Meleagris gallopavo''), which may weigh as much as 14&nbsp;kg (30.5&nbsp;lb) and may exceed 120&nbsp;cm (47&nbsp;in).

The galliform bird species with the largest wingspan and largest overall length (including a train of over 6 feet) is most likely the [[green peafowl]] (''Pavo muticus''). Most galliform [[genera]] are plump-bodied with thick necks and moderately long legs, with rounded and rather short wings. [[Grouse]], [[pheasant]]s, [[francolin]]s, and [[partridge]]s are typical in their outwardly corpulent silhouettes.

Adult males of many galliform birds have one to several sharp horny spurs on the back of each leg, which they use for fighting. In several lineages, pronounced sexual dimorphism occurs, and among each galliform [[clade]], the more apomorphic ("advanced") lineages tend to be more sexually dimorphic.

== Flightlessness ==

While most galliformes are rather reluctant flyers, truly [[flightless bird|flightless]] forms are unknown among the extant members of the order. Though they are often mischaracterised as weak-flying, Galliformes are actually highly specialised for their particular flight style, bearing extremely powerful flight muscles, and some species are even migratory.<ref>Gary W. Kaiser, The Inner Bird: Anatomy and Evolution Paperback – 1 Feb 2008</ref> Adult [[snowcock]]s are, however, flightless, requiring gravity to launch, although juveniles can still fly relatively well.<ref>Madge, Steve; McGowan, J. K.; Kirwan, Guy M. (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse: A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quail, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquail and Sandgrouse of the World. A.C. Black. pp. 174–180. {{ISBN|9780713639667}}.</ref>

Nonetheless, a few birds [[Pangalliformes|outside the Galliforme crown-group]] did produce flightlessness.

The genus ''[[Sylviornis]]'', a huge [[prehistoric]]ally [[extinct]] species of [[New Caledonia]], was flightless, but as opposed to most other flightless birds like [[ratite]]s or island [[rail (bird)|rails]] which become flightless due to [[neoteny|arrested development]] of their flight apparatus and subsequently [[evolution|evolve]] to larger size, ''Sylviornis'' seems to have become flightless simply due to its bulk, with the wing reduction following a consequence, not the reason for its flightlessness.

The gigantic Australian [[mihirungs]], which may be closer to Galliformes than to [[Anseriformes]] as traditionally expected,<ref>Worthy, T., Mitri, M., Handley, W., Lee, M., Anderson, A., Sand, C. 2016. Osteology supports a steam-galliform affinity for the giant extinct flightless birds Sylviornis neocaledoniae (Sylviornithidae, Galloanseres). PLOS ONE. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150871</ref> achieved flightlessness more traditionally, strongly reducing their wings and keel. They were massive herbivorous birds, among the largest avian dinosaurs of all time.

By contrast, the stem-galliform ''[[Scopelortyx]]'' appears to have been more aerial than modern fowl, with a flight style more suited for gliding and soaring.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Mourer-Chauviré | first1 = C. | last2 = Pickford | first2 = M. | year = 2015 | title = Stemp group galliform and stemp group psittaciform birds (Aves, Galliformes, Paraortygidae, and Psittaciformes, family incertae sedis) from the Middle Eocene of Namibia | journal = Journal of Ornithology | volume = 156 | issue = 1| pages = 275–286 | doi = 10.1007/s10336-014-1124-y | s2cid = 16336177 }}</ref>

== Behaviour and ecology ==
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2010}}
Most of the galliform birds are more or less resident, but some of the smaller [[temperate]] species (such as quail) do [[bird migration|migrate]] over considerable distances. [[Altitudinal migration]] is evidently quite common amongst [[montane]] species, and a few species of subtropical and [[subarctic]] regions must reach their watering and/or foraging areas through sustained flight. Species known to make extensive flights include the ptarmigans, [[sage-grouse]] (''Centrocercus''), crested partridge, green peafowl, crested argus, [[mountain peacock-pheasant]] (''Polyplectron inopinatum''), [[koklass pheasant]] (''Pucrasia macrolopha''), [[Reeves's pheasant]], and (''Syrmaticus reevesii''). Other species — most of the [[New World quail]] (also known as the ‘toothed quail’), the enigmatic [[stone partridge]] (''Ptilopachus petrosus'') of [[Africa]], [[guineafowl]], and eared pheasants (''[[Crossoptilon]]'') — are all notable for their daily excursions on foot which may take them many miles in a given day.

Some Galliformes are adapted to grassland habitat, and these genera are remarkable for their long, thin necks, long legs, and large, wide wings. Fairly unrelated [[species]] like the [[crested fireback]] (''Lophura ignita''), [[vulturine guineafowl]] (''Acryllium vulturinum''), and [[malleefowl]] (''Leipoa ocellata'') are outwardly similar in their body types (see also [[convergent evolution]]).

Most species that show only limited sexual dimorphism are notable for the great amount of locomotion required to find food throughout the majority of the year. Those species that are highly sedentary but with marked ecological transformations over seasons exhibit marked distinct differences between the sexes in size and/or appearance. Eared-pheasants, guineafowl, toothed quail, and the [[snow partridge]] (''Lerwa lerwa'') are examples of limited sexual differences and requirements for traveling over wide terrain to forage.

=== Winter ecology ===
Gallinaceous birds are well adapted to regions with cold winters. Their larger size, increased plumage, and lower activity levels help them to withstand the cold and conserve energy. Under such conditions, they are able to change their feeding strategy to that of a ruminant. This allows them to feed on and extract energy and nutrients from coarse, fibrous plant material, such as [[bud]]s, twigs, and [[conifer]] needles. This provides a virtually unlimited source of accessible food and requires little energy to harvest.

=== Food and feeding ===
[[File:Guineafowl1.jpg|thumb|left|Flock of adult and young [[helmeted guineafowl]] foraging]]
[[Herbivorous]] to slightly [[omnivorous]] galliforms, forming the majority of the group, are typically stoutly built and have short, thick bills primarily adapted for foraging on the ground for rootlets or the consumption of other plant material such as [[Calluna|heather]] shoots. The young birds will also take insects.

[[Peafowl]], [[junglefowl]] and most of the [[subtropical]] pheasant genera have very different nutritional requirements from typical [[Palearctic]] genera. The [[Himalayan monal]] (''Lophophorus impejanus'') has been observed digging in the rotting wood of [[Nurse log|deadfall]] in a similar manner to [[woodpecker]]s to extract [[invertebrate]]s, even bracing itself with aid of its squared tail. The [[cheer pheasant]] (''Catreus wallichi''), [[crested argus]] (''Rheinardia ocellata''), the [[crested partridge]] (''Rollulus roulroul'') and the [[crested guineafowl]] (''Guttera pucherani'') are similar ecologically to the Himalayan monal in that they too forage in rotting wood for [[termite]]s, [[ant]] and [[beetle]] [[larva]]e, [[mollusc]]s, [[crustacean]]s and young [[rodents]].

Typical peafowl (''Pavo''), most of the [[peacock-pheasant]]s (''Polyplectron''), the [[Bulwer's pheasant]] (''Lophura bulweri''), the ruffed pheasants (''[[Chrysolophus]]'') and the hill partridges (''[[Arborophila]]'') have narrow, relatively delicate bills, poorly suited for digging. These galliform genera prefer instead to capture live invertebrates in [[leaf litter]], in sand, or shallow pools or along stream banks. These genera are also outwardly similar in that they each have exceptionally long, delicate legs and toes and the tendency to frequent seasonally wet habitats to forage, especially during chick-rearing. The [[blue peafowl]] (''Pavo cristatus'') is famed in its native [[India]] for its appetite for snakes – even poisonous [[cobra]]s – which it dispatches with its strong feet and sharp bill. The [[Lady Amherst's pheasant]] (''Chrysolophus amherstiae''), green peafowl (''Pavo muticus''), Bulwer's pheasant and the [[crestless fireback]] (''Lophura erythrophthalma'') are notable for their aptitude to forage for crustaceans such as crayfish and other aquatic small animals in shallow streams and amongst rushes in much the same manner as some members of the rail family ([[Rallidae]]). Similarly, although [[wild turkeys]] (''Meleagris gallopavo'') have a diet primarily of vegetation, they will eat insects, mice, lizards, and amphibians, wading in water to hunt for the latter. [[Chicken|Domestic hens]] (''Gallus domesticus'') share this opportunistic behaviour and will eat insects, mice, worms, and amphibians.
[[File:Capercaillie Lomvi 2004.jpg|thumb|right|During mating season, the male [[western capercaillie]] feeds mainly on [[bilberry]] leaves, which are toxic to most [[herbivore]]s]]

The tragopans (''[[Tragopan]]''), [[mikado pheasant]] (''Syrmaticus mikado''), and several species of grouse and ptarmigan are exceptional in their largely vegetarian and [[arboreal]] foraging habitats; grouse are especially notable for being able to feed on plants rich in [[terpene]]s and [[quinones]]—such as [[sagebrush]] or [[conifer]]s—which are often avoided by other herbivores. Many species of moderate altitudes—for example the long-tailed pheasants of the genus ''[[Syrmaticus]]''—also find a great deal of their daily nutritional requirements in the [[canopy (forest)|tree canopies]], especially during the snowy and rainy periods when foraging on the ground is dangerous and less than fruitful for a variety of reasons. Although members of the genus ''Syrmaticus'' are capable of subsisting almost entirely on vegetarian materials for months at a time, this is not true for many of the subtropical genera. For example, the [[great argus]] (''Argusianus argus'') and crested argus may do most of their foraging during rainy months in the canopy of the jungle, as well. There they are known to forage on [[slug]]s, [[snail]]s, ants, and [[amphibian]]s to the exclusion of plant material. How they forage in the forest canopy during the rainy months is unknown.

=== Reproduction ===
Most galliforms are very prolific, with [[clutch (eggs)|clutches]] regularly exceeding 10 eggs in many species. In contrast to most birds which are – at least for a particular breeding season – [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]], galliforms are often [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]] or [[Animal sexual behaviour#Polygamy|polygamous]]. Such species can be recognized by their pronounced sexual dimorphism.

Galliform young are very [[wiktionary:precocious|precocious]] and roam with their mothers – or both parents in monogamous species – mere hours after hatching. The most extreme case are the [[Megapodiidae]], where the adults do not brood, but leave [[Avian incubation|incubation]] to mounds of rotting vegetation, [[volcanism|volcanic]] ash, or hot sand. The young must dig out of the nest mounds after hatching, but they emerge from the eggs fully feathered, and upon leaving the mound, they are able to fly considerable distances.

== Common species ==
{{See also|List of Galliformes by population}}

'''Grouse and ptarmigans''' - '''Family Tetraonidae'''

Grouse, ptarmigans, and prairie chickens are all chicken-like birds with short, curved, strong bills, part of the family Tetraonidae. This group includes 25 species residing mostly in [[North America]]. They are mainly ground-dwellers and have short, rounded wings for brief flights. They are well adapted to winter by growing feather "snowshoes" on their feet and roosting beneath the snow. They range in size from the {{convert|13|in|cm|adj=on}} white-tailed ptarmigan to the {{convert|28|in|cm|adj=on}} sage grouse. Their plumage is dense and soft and is most commonly found in shades of red, brown, and gray to camouflage to the ground. They are polygamous and male courtship behavior includes strutting and dancing and aggressive fighting for possession of females. The typical [[avian clutch size|clutch size]] is between seven and 12 eggs.

'''Turkeys -''' '''Family Meleagrididae'''

Turkeys are large, long-legged birds that can grow up to {{convert|4|ft}} in height and weigh up to {{convert|30|lbs}} in the wild. They have a long, broad, rounded tail with 14–19 blunt feathers. They have a naked, wrinkled head and feathered body. The North American wild turkey – ''Meleagris gallopavo'' – has five distinct subspecies (Eastern, Rio Grande, Florida [Osceola], Merriam's, and Gould's). Hybrids also exist where the ranges of these subspecies overlap. All are native only to North America, though transplanted populations exist elsewhere. Their plumage differs slightly by subspecies, but is generally dark to black for males, with buff to cream highlights, and generally drab brown for females. The feathers are quite [[Iridescence|iridescent]] and can take on distinct reddish/copper hues in sunlight. Their feathers are well defined with broad, square ends, giving the bird the appearance of being covered in scales. Males have a "beard" of coarse black bristles hanging from the center of their upper breasts and tend to have more vibrantly colored plumage than do females. They breed in the spring and their typical clutch size is between 10 and 12&nbsp;eggs. The [[ocellated turkey]] (''Meleagris ocellata''), a different species of turkey, currently exists only in a portion of the [[Yucatán]] peninsula. After the 19th and early 20th&nbsp;centuries, wild turkey populations dropped significantly because of hunting and habitat loss. However, populations now flourish again due to hunting management and transplanting. The ocellated turkey, not commonly hunted, is currently threatened due to ongoing habitat loss in the Yucutan.

'''Pheasants, quail, and partridges -''' '''Family Phasianidae'''

The family is divided into four groups: 30&nbsp;species of new world quail, residing between [[Paraguay]] and [[Canada]], 11&nbsp;species of Old World quail in [[Africa]], [[Australia]], and [[Asia]], 94&nbsp;species of partridges, and 48&nbsp;species of pheasants. This family includes a wide range of bird sizes from a {{convert|5+1/2|in|cm}} quail to pheasants up to almost {{convert|30|in|cm}}. Pheasants and quail have heavy, round bodies and rounded wings. Though they have short legs, they are very fast runners when escaping predators.

'''Chachalacas -''' '''Family Cracidae'''

[[Chachalacas]] are found in the chaparral ecosystems from southern [[Texas]] through [[Mexico]] and [[Costa Rica]]. They are mainly arboreal and make their nests in trees {{convert|5 to 15|ft}} above the ground. They are large, long-legged birds that can grow up to {{convert|26|in|cm}} long. They have long tails and are chicken-like in appearance. Their frail-looking yet sturdy nests are made of sticks and leaves. Their clutch size is three or four eggs. The males make a unique, loud, [[mating call]] that give them their name. Chachalacas feed mainly on berries, but also eat insects. They are a popular game bird, as their flesh is good to eat. They are also commonly domesticated as pets.

== References ==
{{reflist|22em}}

==Further reading==<!-- Auk100:33. CytogenetGenomeRes106:111. JOrnithol147:31. ZoolRes26:69. -->
* Agnolin, Federico L.; Novas, Fernando E. & Lio, Gabriel (2006): Neornithine bird coracoid from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia. ''Ameghiniana'' '''43'''(1): 245–248. [http://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0002-70142006000100019&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=en HTML fulltext]
* {{cite journal | last1 = Clarke | first1 = Julia A | year = 2004 | title = Morphology, Phylogenetic Taxonomy, and Systematics of ''Ichthyornis'' and ''Apatornis'' (Avialae: Ornithurae) | url = http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/2246/454/1/B286.pdf | journal = Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History | volume = 286 | pages = 1–179 | doi = 10.1206/0003-0090(2004)286<0001:mptaso>2.0.co;2 | s2cid = 84035285 }}
* Crowe, Timothy M.; Bloomer, Paulette; Randi, Ettore; Lucchini, Vittorio; Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L. & Groth, Jeffrey G. (2006a): Supra-generic cladistics of landfowl (Order Galliformes). ''Acta Zoologica Sinica'' '''52'''(Supplement): 358–361. [http://people.biology.ufl.edu/ebraun/Papers/CBRLKBG06.pdf PDF fulltext] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623123002/http://people.biology.ufl.edu/ebraun/Papers/CBRLKBG06.pdf |date=2010-06-23 }}
* Crowe, Timothy M.; Bowie, Rauri C.K.; Bloomer, Paulette; Mandiwana, Tshifhiwa G.; Hedderson, Terry A.J.; Randi, Ettore; Pereira, Sergio L. & Wakeling, Julia (2006b): Phylogenetics, biogeography and classification of, and character evolution in, gamebirds (Aves: Galliformes): effects of character exclusion, data partitioning and missing data. ''[[Cladistics (journal)|Cladistics]]'' '''22'''(6): 495–532. <small>{{doi|10.1111/j.1096-0031.2006.00120.x}}</small> [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155343/http://individual.utoronto.ca/sergiolp/pdf/Cladistics2006.pdf PDF fulltext]
* Dyke, Gareth J; Gulas, Bonnie E. & Crowe, Timothy M. (2003): Suprageneric relationships of galliform birds (Aves, Galliformes): a cladistic analysis of morphological characters. ''[[Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society|Zool. J. Linn. Soc.]]'' '''137'''(2): 227–244. <small>{{doi|10.1046/j.1096-3642.2003.00048.x}}</small> [http://www.ucd.ie/zoology/DYKE/Dykeetal2003.pdf PDF fulltext]
* Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L.; Zwartjes, P.W.; Crowe, Timothy M. & Ligon, J. David (1999): A molecular phylogeny of the pheasants and partridges suggests that these lineages are not monophyletic. ''[[Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|Mol. Phylogenet. Evol.]]'' '''11'''(1): 38–54. <small>{{doi|10.1006/mpev.1998.0562}}</small> [http://people.biology.ufl.edu/rkimball/Kimballetal.1999.MPE.pdf PDF fulltext] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428072056/http://people.biology.ufl.edu/rkimball/Kimballetal.1999.MPE.pdf |date=2011-04-28 }}
* Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L.; Ligon, J. David; Lucchini, Vittorio & Randi, Ettore (2001): A molecular phylogeny of the peacock-pheasants (Galliformes: ''Polyplectron'' spp.) indicates loss and reduction of ornamental traits and display behaviours. ''[[Biological Journal of the Linnean Society|Biol. J. Linn. Soc.]]'' '''73'''(2): 187–198. <small>{{doi|10.1006/bijl.2001.0536}}</small> [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155345/http://www.zoology.ufl.edu/rkimball/Kimballetal.2001.BJLS.PDF PDF fulltext]
* Kimball, Rebecca T.; Braun, Edward L.; Ligon, J. David; Randi, Ettore & Lucchini, Vittorio (2006): Using molecular phylogenetics to interpret evolutionary changes in morphology and behavior in the Phasianidae. ''Acta Zoologica Sinica'' '''52'''(Supplement): 362–365. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155351/http://www.zoology.ufl.edu/rkimball/Kimballetal.2006.pdf PDF fulltext]
*{{ cite journal | last1=Mandiwana-Neudani | first1=T.G. | last2=Little | first2=R.M. | last3=Crowe | first3=T.M. | last4=Bowie | first4=R.C.K. | year=2019 | title=Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of African spurfowl Galliformes, Phasianidae, Phasianinae, Coturnicini: ''Pternistis'' spp. | journal=Ostrich | volume=90 | issue=2 | pages=145–172 | doi=10.2989/00306525.2019.1584925 | bibcode=2019Ostri..90..145M | s2cid=195417777 }}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Mayr | first1 = Gerald | last2 = Weidig | first2 = Ilka | year = 2004 | title = The Early Eocene bird ''Gallinuloides wyomingensis'' – a stem group representative of Galliformes | url = http://app.pan.pl/article/item/app49-211.html?pdf=39 | journal = Acta Palaeontologica Polonica | volume = 49 | issue = 2| pages = 211–217 }}
* Smith, Edward J.; Shi, Li & Tu, Zhijian (2005): ''Gallus gallus'' aggrecan gene-based phylogenetic analysis of selected avian taxonomic groups. ''Genetica'' '''124'''(1): 23–32. <small>{{doi|10.1111/j.1095-8312.2001.tb01356.x}}</small> (HTML abstract)
* Zelenitsky, Darla K.; Hills, L.V. & Currie, Philip J. (1996): Parataxonomic classification of ornithoid eggshell fragments from the Oldman Formation (Judith River Group; Upper Cretaceous), Southern Alberta. ''Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences'' '''33'''(12): 1655–1667. <!-- <small>{{DOI|10.1139/e96-126}}</small> [DOI does not work] -->[https://web.archive.org/web/20081217155344/http://www.lowellcarhart.net/ebay/papers/parataxonomic.pdf PDF fulltext]
* Bent, Arthur C. 1963. Life Histories of North American Gallinaceous Birds, New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
* Eaton, Stephen W. 1992. The Birds of North America: Wild Turkey No. 22. The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington DC: The American Ornithologists’ Union.
* Forbush, Edward H. 1929. Birds of Massachusetts and Other New England States, Norwood Massachusetts: Norwood press.
* Harrison, Kit and George. 1990. The Birds of Winter, New York: Random House.
* Pearson, T. Gilbert, et al. 1936. Birds of America, New York: Garden City Publishing Company, Inc.
* Peterson, M.J. 2000. The Birds of North America: Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula), No. 550. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
* [[Chandler Robbins|Robbins, Chandler S.]] et al. 1966. A Guide to Field Identification: Birds of North America, New York: Golden Press.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Americana Poster|year=1920|Gallinæ|Galliformes}}
* [http://www.pheasant.org.uk/ The World Pheasant Association – The ultimate authority on Galliformes]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150801180256/http://gamebirdjournal.com/ Gamebird Journal – An Online Magazine Devoted To The Gamebird Enthusiast]
* [http://www.gbwf.org/ Galliformes – Conservation and aviculture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722193756/http://www.gbwf.org/ |date=2019-07-22 }}

{{Pangalliformes|Ph.|state=collapsed}}
{{Phasianidae}}
{{Birds|state=expanded}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q21659}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gallinaceous Birds}}
[[Category:Galliformes| ]]
[[Category:Bird orders]]
[[Category:Extant Paleocene first appearances]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Coenraad Jacob Temminck]]