Vulturine Guineafowl
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/23005733@N00">putneymark</a> (CC BY-SA 2.0)
NameVulturine Guineafowl
Common NameVulturine Guineafowl
Scientific NameAcryllium vulturinum
FamilyNumididae
Wingspan (cm)90
Length (cm)66
Weight (g)1350
Plumage DetailsThe head and upper neck are bare, blue-grey, with a reddish-brown patch on the nape. The body plumage is black, finely spotted with white. The most distinctive feature is the long, hackle-like feathers on the mantle and chest, which are brilliant cobalt blue with prominent white streaks. The wings and tail are also spotted.
Vocalization / CallKnown for a harsh, grating 'chink-chink-chink' call, often given in a chorus by a group, especially at dawn and dusk. They also produce a variety of clucking and chattering sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatssavanna, dry bushland, semi-desert
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to northeastern Africa, found in arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and northern Tanzania.
Identifying Featuresbare blue-grey head and neck, vulture-like head, brilliant cobalt blue and white streaked hackle feathers on chest, black body with fine white spots, reddish-brown nape patch
Description
This large, striking ground-dwelling bird is characterized by its long, bare blue-grey neck and head, resembling a vulture. Its body plumage is a vibrant mix of black with fine white spots, contrasted by brilliant cobalt blue and white streaking on its mantle and chest. It typically forages in dry bushland and savanna in groups.
