Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) are large land birds with black-grey feathers with white spots, a blue neck, red beak, and helmet-type structure on its head.

Their wings are short and rounded, so they only fly for short distances, preferring to scratch the ground for their food with their strong claws. They feed on seeds, roots, grubs, grasshoppers, termites, small rodents, small reptiles, such as lizards.

 

The Helmeted Guineafowl grows up to 45-53 centimetres (18-21 inches) tall. Male and female Helmeted Guineafowl look the same (this is called monomorphic).

Helmeted Guineafowl are from Africa and like woodlands.

They live in flocks of about 25.

Females lay between 6-12 eggs on the ground, hidden in tall grass. Only the female sits on the eggs until they hatch after 26-28 days. They live up to 15 years.

They are related to pheasants, turkeys, and other game birds.

 

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM