CTA, 1999. Though they are monogamous, species of the least-derived genera Guttera, Agelastes and Acryllium tend toward social polyandry, a trait shared with other primitive galliformes like roul roul, and Congo peafowl. Hybrids While several species are relatively well known, the plumed guineafowl and the two members of the genus Agelastes remain relatively poorly known. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 2001. http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/47097/all Meat production 3. A lot of times they will make a nest off in the woods. During warm weather the cock is unlikely to set on the keets during the night (leaving that duty to the hen), but may help the hen keep the keets warm at night when temperatures drop below freezing. The white-breasted guinea fowl (Agelastes meleagrides) is a bird native to the forests of These birds are monogamous and mate for life in the wild. http://www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm/guineas/ These birds are monogamous, and provided with the proper male-female ratios, will stick to one partner for their entire lives. A wattle (red fleshy part) hangs on each side of the beak. The guinea fowl are poultry birds originating from Africa. Martínez, I. Phylogenetically, they branched off from the core Galliformes after the Cracidae (chachalacas, guans, and curassows) and before the Odontophoridae (New World quail). They are monogamous birds and couples stick together for a lifetime. 9. [2], The insect- and seed-eating, ground-nesting birds of this family 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. They fight mostly terrestrially, often choosing to run rather than to fly. Wild guineafowl are strong flyers. western Africa. Guinea fowl can mate with other species of fowl and produce hybrid offspring. Try to maintain a ratio of one male to five females for best results. Seeds, berries, insects, spiders, worms, and other small invertebrates (animals without backbones) are all in the diet of guinea fowl. Generally, however, guinea fowl have plump roundish bodies that range in Egg production 2. A male and female guinea fowl are normally monogamous—which means that they pair with each other for life and mate with no other individuals. It has mostly black feathers, except for a bright white breast. This bird, which is native to grasslands in eastern Africa, has a longer neck, Guinea fowl are quick to defend themselves and their young by pecking, scratching, and flapping their wings at enemies. Steve Madge, Phil McGowan, Guy M. Kirwan. Phylogenetically, they branched off from the core Galliformes after the Cracidae (chachalacas, guans, and curassows) and before the Odontophoridae (New World quail). In ancient Rome, the meat and eggs of guinea fowl were considered to be delicacies. have tufts of black feathers on their heads. http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/47096/all classified in the family Phasianidae. And to an extent that is true. David Burnie, Don E. Wilson, editors. Their noisy nature makes guinea fowl excellent “guard birds,” warning chickens and other barnyard fowl when hawks, owls, raccoons, or other enemies intrude into the area. The hybrid of a guinea fowl and a chicken is called a “guin-hen.” The hybrid of a guinea fowl and a peafowl is called a “pea-guinea.”. Some species of guineafowl, like the vulturine, may go without drinking water for extended periods, instead sourcing their moisture from their food. bird has a large backward-curving bony “helmet” on top of its head. This This is a list of guineafowl species, presented in taxonomic order. Also, the presence of relatively larger egg clusters in the dual purpose guinea hens may be a factor that contributes to the higher body weight of the guinea hens.[4]. Guineafowl are monogamous and couples mate for life. Smithsonian Institution Animal.