The Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) from northeast Africa is the largest species of guineafowl, measuring 61-71 centimetres (24-28 inches) tall.

The Vulturine Guineafowl has a round body and small head, with a bare blue face and black neck, which makes it looks like a vulture. It has a cape of long, glossy, blue and white hackles. Its chest is bright blue, and the rest of the body’s feathers are black, finely speckled with white. The wings are short and rounded.

A flock of Vulturine Guineafowl

The Vulturine Guineafowl lives in flocks of about 25 birds, and likes open spaces. It is terrestrial, which means that it lives on land and rarely flies. Even when it is scared, it prefers to run instead of fly.

It eats seeds and insects.

It breeds in dry and open habitats, such as grasslands. Females usually lay 4-8 cream-coloured eggs hidden in the grass.

Vulturine Guineafowl

Vulturine Guineafowl

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM