Helmeted Guineafowl
NameHelmeted Guineafowl
Common NameHelmeted Guineafowl
Scientific NameNumida meleagris
FamilyNumididae
Wingspan (cm)97.5
Length (cm)55
Weight (g)1300
Plumage DetailsThe body plumage is dark grey-black, densely covered with small, round white spots. The primary wing feathers are brownish, and the tail is short. The head features a prominent bony casque and unfeathered skin that is bright blue on the face and neck, with red wattles.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its loud, harsh, and repetitive calls, often described as a grating 'kek-kek-kek' or 'buck-wheat' sound, which can be quite noisy, especially when in flocks.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, forest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to sub-Saharan Africa, it is widely distributed across the continent and has been introduced to various other parts of the world.
Identifying Featuresbony casque on head, unfeathered blue and red head/neck, dark plumage with white spots, short, rounded wings, stout legs
Description
This large, ground-dwelling bird is characterized by its distinctive bony casque on the head and unfeathered blue and red skin on its face and neck. Its body is covered in dark plumage heavily speckled with white spots, giving it a unique appearance. They are highly social birds, often seen foraging in large flocks.
