Guineafowl: Numididae

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GUINEAFOWL: Numididae

HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris): SPECIES ACCOUNT

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

These chicken-like birds weigh 1.5 to 3.5 pounds (0.7 to 1.6 kilograms) and measure 15.5 to 28.2 inches (40 to 72 centimeters) long. Their bills are short and their legs are strong. Some have small spurs on their legs, while others have a long, sharp spur on each leg. Still others have none at all. The tail is short and points downward. Some guineafowl have wattles that hang from the bottom of their bills. Males are generally larger than females.

Plumage (feathers) varies in color, from black with a brown wave design to black with white wavy lines or white spots. The head is usually bare for the most part, with small patches of feathers on some species. Skin color on the head varies.

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Guineafowl are native to Africa and Madagascar.

HABITAT

Though primarily found in rainforests, some guineafowl live in open-country habitats other than the desert, such as grasslands and plains with thickets and brush. Others prefer secondary forests, which are forests that grow after a major disturbance such as logging or fire occurs.

DIET

Some guineafowl eat small invertebrates (animals without backbones) and a variety of plants. Others also eat berries and other fruit in trees as well as bulbs dug up from underground. Flocks will crowd each other in order to eat, but they don't fight with their bills during feeding. Most species need to drink water to thrive.

BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION

Guineafowl live in groups of up to twenty individuals, with the exception of the vulturine guineafowl, which live in flocks of twenty to thirty). These birds roost (rest) in trees during the night and call to one another. Calls vary according to species and are used not only to locate flock members but to warn of intruders. The crested guineafowl has been known to socialize with vervet monkeys. While the monkeys eat from the treetops, the guineafowl feed below on fruit and feces that fall from the trees. Monkeys help protect the birds by warning of danger from above while the birds warn monkeys of danger on the ground. Feeding usually occurs in the early dawn hours.

COST-EFFECTIVE DISEASE CONTROL

Guineas were first introduced to the United States from Africa during pre-Civil War days and have since been raised on small farms, usually alongside chickens and other domestic fowl. They're popular birds on farms because of the way they call loudly in alarm whenever intruders approach, be they four-legged or two-legged. More recently, they have become valued farm birds because they eat ticks that carry Lyme Disease.

According to Nancy Smith's article in Mother Earth News, guineas not only eat the insects, but will actually patrol the borders of fields and lawns in search of the pesky bugs.

Owners of guineafowl praise the birds for their low-maintenance lifestyle and hardiness against disease, but the fowl do have their downside. Neighbors don't usually care for the alarmingly loud calls of the guineafowl. They're also slow breeders when compared to other fowl, such as chickens. Still, most people who own them say they would never be without them again.

During breeding, pairs form monogamous (muh-NAH-guh-mus; one male to one female mate) bonds and breed throughout the year. Clutch sizes vary from as few as seven to as many as twenty-three eggs of various colors. Chicks are born with a soft down covering and can usually flutter-fly by the age of two to three weeks.

Guineafowl hide from their predators in trees and thickets. They also will choose to run rather than fly when in danger. Their primary enemies are hawks, owls, and other meat-eating animals. Average life span is unknown.

GUINEAFOWL AND PEOPLE

Guineafowl have been domesticated (tamed) and are a popular "pet" bird known for their ability to keep Lyme disease at bay by eating the ticks that carry it.

CONSERVATION STATUS

The white-breasted guineafowl is listed as Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction, due to hunting and habitat destruction. No other species are threatened.

HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris): SPECIES ACCOUNT

Physical characteristics: The helmeted guineafowl measures 20 to 25 inches (50 to 63 centimeters) long and weighs 2.5 to 3.5 pounds (1.15 to 1.6 kilograms). Males and females are not noticeably different in size. Plumage is mostly blackish gray with white spots and lines. Head ornamentation varies.

Geographic range: This bird is found in Africa south of the Sahara; one population found north of the Sahara.

Habitat: This guineafowl lives on savannas (tropical and subtropical plant community with some trees and shrubs among grasses and herbs) and in woodlands.

Diet: Helmeted guineafowl find food by pecking into the ground. Their diet consists of 90 percent insects, but also includes berries, seeds, and reptiles. They will eat whatever plants are abundant.

Behavior and reproduction: This guinea is extremely vocal and social. Females make a call that sounds like "Buckwheat!" It lives in flocks of up to thirty-five but sometimes feeds in flocks of up to 1,000. Roosts from sunset to sunup. This species can run up to 20 miles (32.2 kilometers) daily.

Pairs mate for life. The female lays twelve to twenty-three eggs, which she will incubate (keep warm for hatching) for twenty-four to twenty-seven days. The nest is a shallow hole in the ground protected by vegetation. Both parents feed and care for chicks. This guinea's breeding schedule corresponds with rainfall patterns.

Helmeted guineafowl and people: Southern Africa's most popular land gamebird, bird hunted for sport. First domesticated by the ancient Egyptians.

Conservation status: Not threatened, but there has been a recent decline in parts of its range, most likely due to loss of habitat. ∎