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Numididae - Guineafowl

Classification

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Fmily: Numididae

There are six species in this family of birds. They live in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are 17-24 inches in length and have a bare head and neck; a small rounded head; a short, rounded tail; a curved bill; and a pear-shaped body. They have grayish-black feathers spotted with white.

Some species, like the vulturine guineafowl, have brightly colored feathers around their necks and chests; other species, like the helmeted guineafowl, have crests on their heads.

Guineafowl eat seeds and invertebrates. They roost in trees at night and make their nests on the ground. Guineafowl can fly, but they are very fast runners and usually run to escape danger. They are also known as guineahens and have been domesticated in some places and raised for food.

World Status Key

Least Concern

Near Threatened

Vulnerable

Endangered

Critically Endangered

Extinct in Wild

Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		None

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Species
Vulturine Guineafowl - Acryllium vulturinum White-breasted Guineafowl - Agelastes meleagrides Black Guineafowl - Agelastes niger	Plumed Guineafowl - Guttera plumifera Crested Guineafowl - Guttera pucherani Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris
The helmeted guineafowl is found in western, northeastern and southern Africa
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris
The helmeted guineafowl has a pear-shaped body and a very small head with a yellow or reddish bony knob.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Helmeted Guineafowl - Numida meleagris
The helmeted guineafowl is not a very good flier.
Source: St. Louis Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Plumed Guineafowl - Guttera plumifera
The plumed guineafowl is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Vulturine Guineafowl - Acryllium vulturinum
The vulturine guineafowl is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Vulturine Guineafowl - Acryllium vulturinum
The vulturine guineafowl is the largest species of guineafowl.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Vulturine Guineafowl - Acryllium vulturinum
The vulturine guineafowl gets its name from its vulture-like head.
Source: Honolulu Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

White-breasted Guineafowl - Agelastes meleagrides
The white-breasted guineafowl is found in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Numididae - Guineafowl

Classification

New Hampshire Species

North/Central American Species

Other Species Around the World

Additional Information

Explore the Natural World - Local & National PBS Video