Dusky Grouse

Dendragapus obscurus

Meet the Dusky Grouse, one of the largest Grouses in North America. Fun fact #1? Until recently it was thought to be a subspecies of the Blue Grouse. But the Blue Grouse is actually no more. DNA analysis split it up into two full-fledged species-- the Dusky Grouse and the Sooty Grouse.

These birds can be found in the Rocky Mountains of North America, and their habitat depends on the time of years. During the winter they live near-exclusively in the coniferous forests, but during the summer breeding season they will live in grasslands and low, dry mountain forests.

The Dusky Grouse has a really curious anatomical feature. Most bird species have about 10 tail feathers, and that number is the same bird to bird. The Dusky Grouse has anywhere from 15 to 22 tail feathers-- a huge variance!

Male and female Dusky Grouses are different in appearance. Females are grey-brown ans speckled, while males are darker brown and have a bare purple throat sack ringed with white feathers. They also have an eye-wattle that varies from yellow to red.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Western North America
Size : Length up to 18in (45cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Dendragapus-- Species : D. obscurus
Image :  National Park Service

Read More

Grey Junglefowl

Gallus sonneratii

The Grey Junglefowl is a wild chicken that is closely related to the Red Junglefowl-- the bird from which domesticated chickens descend from.

Like its cousin, the Grey Junglefowl lives in southern Asia, specifically in India, where is is endemic. They live in both dense and open areas, and are also found near human settlements. Because of their ability to adapt to human-shaped environments, the Grey Junglefowl aren't in any major conservation trouble.

You can identify these birds by the mottled brown and black feathers that give them a greyish appearance. Males also sport sleek black tails and a red crest-- though the crest and wattle aren't as large as those found in their relatives.

Grey Junglefowl feed on all sorts of things, including insects, berries, grains, and seeds. They breed once a year, usually sometimes between February and May, and produce up to 7 offspring per clutch.

Grey Junglefowl can be kept in captivity, and will often breed and produce hybrids with other Junglefowl, or with Domestic Chickens.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : India
Size : Length up to 18in (43cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. sonneratii

Image : Der Irbis

Read More

Crested Guineafowl

Guttera pucherani

The Crested Guineafowl is a bird with a serious hairdo! They have an incredibly distinctive mop of feathers on the top of their head that looks like a funky hair-style!

Aside from their awesome 'do, these birds have bodies covered in black and white spotted feathers, and featherless faces.

Like all members of the Numididae (Guineafowl) family, these birds live on the continent of Africa. They have a range that covers the open forests and tree-spotted savannas south of the Sahara desert. There, they feed on a range of items like seeds, grasses, and insects.

Interestingly, these birds practice courtship feeding-- the partners bring food to one another to strengthen their bond. Crested Guineafowl are monogamous, possibly for life. They nest on the ground, hiding it in tall grasses or under the cover of bushes.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size : Body length up to 20in (50cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Numididae -- Genus : Guttera -- Species : G. pucherani
Image : D. Keats

Read More

Spix's Guan

Penelope jacquacu

Guans are relatively large birds that live in South and Central America, and this particular species is found in the countries like Colombia, Venezuela  Brazil, and Ecuador. They inhabit the wet lowland forests that are found within that international range.

Spix's Guan has brown feathers with white flecks, a small head, and a very bright red wattle. If you can't identify them by sight you may be able to my sound. They make loud yelling noises at night, and at dawn and dusk they do what is called a "wing rattle." The birds stretch out their wings and shake them while moving from tree to tree.

Currently the Spix's Guan has a large range and population size. However, that population is on the decline, and habitat loss may require re-evaluation of their conservation status.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South America
Size : Body Length up to 6in (16cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Cracidae -- Genus : Penelope -- Species : P. jacquacu

Image : Arthur Chapman

Read More

Gunnison Grouse

Centrocercus minimus

The Gunnison Sage Grouse is the first new species of bird described in the United States since the 1800s. Interestingly, it wasn't classified until 2000, because it bore such a resemblance to the more common Sage Grouse and was overlooked.

Gunnison Sage Grouses are smaller than Sage Grouses, and are significantly more rare. So rare, in fact, that they are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. They live only in a few parts of Colorado and Utah, and are being heavily affected by habitat loss and fragmentation. Hunting has been banned, and efforts to improve the habitat are underway. However, further restoration and research will be needed to get the population on an upward swing. Right now it is estimated that there are only 2,500 birds.

One interesting tidbit about this bird is that the males take part in a Lek breeding system. They stake out areas that they can use as stages. These are usually open patches of ground near sages. The males then strut around and perform, attempting to attract females. Only a few males will actually get to breed.

---

IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : United States

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Centrocercus -- Species : C. minimus

Image : USDI

Read More

Grey Francolin

Francolinus pondicerianus

The Grey Francolin is a species found with the Pheasant family, and there are three different location-based subspecies. They were once referred to as Grey Partridges, but that was a bit of a confusing common name, as there are also grey Partridges in Europe.

Grey Francolins can be found in South Asia, as well as in introduced populations in the Pacific, and in Hawaii and Nevada. They live in grassland and scrubland areas, and they do their nesting either in scrapes on the ground, or in small rocky walls. They aren't very good fliers, so they rely on grasses and shrubs to hide. These birds are omnivores, eating seeds, insects, and even small reptiles.

Interestingly, Grey Francolins have been domesticated in India and Pakistan for quite some time, though their purpose is a rather sad one-- the birds are kept for fighting. The birds are very common outside of captivity, and are one of the most populous game birds in their range.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South Asia
Size : Weight up to 250g

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Francolinus -- Species : F. pondicerianus 
Image Attribution : Ravi Vaidyanathan

Read More

Araucana

Araucana

The Araucana is a most interesting breed of chicken, one that had three very distinguishing traits-- blue eggs, no tail, and ear tufts. They originated in Chile, and there are numerous theories on how they got the traits that they have, including crossbreeding with pheasants, crossing with European breeds, and genetic mutation.

The blue eggs of the Araucana are not unique among chickens, but they are rare. Only a handful of breeds produce them. One of those other breeds, the Collonca, was a direct ancestor to the Araucana. There is also a theory that way back, Chilean chickens crossed with Pheasants, and that some of the hens remained fertile. The blue eggs were still rare on the whole in late 19th century Chile, but were grew more and more common only a few decades later.

The Araucanas ear tufts are another distinguishing trait, one that may have arisen from a simple genetic mutation. It is also seen in a few other South American birds, including the Quetro, another direct ancestor. This mutation does have downsides-- it causes a higher percentage of fertilized eggs to be non-viable.

Finally, Araucanas have no tails. This trait was most likely bred for because a tailless chicken was harder for a predator to catch! They are sometimes referred to as the South American Rumpless, due to this lack of tail.

---

Status : Domesticated
Location :  Chile
Size : Weight up to 7lbs (3.2kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves --   Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. gallus

Read More

King Quail

Coturnix chinensis

The King Quail, also known as the Asian Blue Quail, or Painted Quail, is the smallest of all the "true Quail" species. They measure only about 6in in length, and the females are actually larger than the males. You'll find them in south and southeast Asia, Australia, and on several Pacific islands.

Males are where the "Blue" name comes from-- they have slate blue breasts that are not present at all in females. Elsewhere their feathers range from a reddish brown, to lighter shades of brown, to black. This Quail species is quite popular in aviculture, and in captivity there are several other color variations that can be found.

King Quails live in either pairs or in small groups called Coveys. The rainy season dictates when they breed, and the females can lay as many as 14 eggs at a time! The newly hatched chicks are precocial, and go incredibly fast-- they can reach full adulthood after only a month! This quick maturation serves them well in the wild, as they usually only live a few years (they can live more than a decade in captivity).

Because the King Quails are such prolific breeders, and because they have such a massive range, they are listed as being of Least Concern. Some local populations (like those in parts of Australia) are becoming more rare, and are receiving protection.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Asia, Australia
Size : Length up to 6in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Coturnix -- Species : C. chinensis

Read More

Green Junglefowl

Gallus varius

The Green Junglefowl is a close relative to domesticated chickens, as it belong in the same genus as their ancestor, the Red Junglefowl. They are endemic to Indonesia.

Males and females look very different. Females are covered in brown feathers, and don't have long plumes or a comb. Males have both the plumes and comb, and from a distance look to be black, though closer up you will notice that those feathers are actually shiny greens, blues, and bronzes.

Green Junglefowl live in small flocks led by a dominant male. During the breeding season those males are challenged by other who don't have flocks of their own. Fighting often takes place, with involves flapping wings and grappling with their claws and spurs.

Green Junglefowl are being specifically bred in captivity these days. This is because in their native parts they are becoming hybridized with domestic chickens. These crosses are called "Bekisar" and are popular

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Indonesia
Size : Length up to 30in (75cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae --  Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. varius

Read More

Himalayan Quail

Ophrysia superciliosa

The Himalayan Quail is one of the rarest birds in the world... if they are actually still out there. Are they extinct, or are they still alive in the remote mountains of India?

The last confirmed sighting was way, way back in 1876. Since then there have only been a light spattering of unconfirmed reports, and official searches have turned up nothing definitive. So why not just say that they are extinct? It has been nearly 15 years after all. Well, the issue is that while the birds are most certainly gone from human-populated areas, there could still be a group of birds in a more remote grassland location. Quails are also very difficult to spot in general, due to their camouflaging coloration and behavior, so not seeing any does not necessarily mean that they aren't there.

All that we know about the Himalayan Quail comes from a couple of specimens taken during the 19th century, and from a scant handful of reports taken around the same time. They are small, dark birds with red bills and legs. Males also have white streaks on their heads. They live in groups of 6 to 10, residing in areas with tall grasses and feeding on the seeds that they find there. Reports also state that they rarely fly, and will only take to the air when predators are incredibly close (just about the be stepped on).

So what do you think? Is the Himalayan Quail still out there? Or has it really been gone for over a hundred years? For now it joins the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Baiji, and others in the list of "creatures that may be gone completely... but we don't know for sure."

---

IUCN Status : Critically Endangered

Location : India
Size : Length up to 10in (25cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Ophrysia-- Species : O. superciliosa

Read More

Vulturine Guineafowl

Acryllium vulturinum

Meet the Vulturine Guineafowl, the largest of all the Guineafowl species. These strange looking birds can be found in eastern Africa, where they inhabit dry grass and scrublands.

Vulturine Guineafowl get their name, of course, from their Vulture-like appearance. While all Guineafowl have bare heads, this species lacks feathers all the way down the neck as well, giving it a very strong resemblance to the scavenging birds.

This bird is also interesting because they much prefer to run rather than fly. When alarmed, they scamper off to hide instead of flying away. They do roost high up in trees, but forage on the ground for small invertebrates, rodents, reptiles, roots, and seeds. Even young Guineafowl are excellent runners. They are precocial and are on their feet not long after hatching.

Vulturine Guineafowl are kept in aviculture. They are hardy, heat tolerant birds.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size :  Body length up to 27in (70cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Numididae -- Genus : Acryllium -- Species : A. vulturinum

Read More

Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

The Blood Pheasant has kind of a disturbing name, but it gets it from the red skin of its face and legs, and the red feathers on the chin, chest, and tail. They are small members of their family, and are the only species found within the genus Ithaginis, though there are a dozen recognized subspecies.

Blood Pheasants are found in the countries surrounding the Himalayas-- China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. They prefer to live in coniferous forests, and range at elevations of 10,000-15,000 feet during the breeding season, and slightly lower during the rest of the year.

These birds are not the best fliers, and they get around mostly by running on the ground. They even build their nests on the ground, constructing them under rocks and inside shrubs. These ground nests can be problematic, however, as sometimes the eggs must be moved or abandoned altogether if the parents feel there is too much risk. Broods can number over a dozen in size, and the young chicks are able to get up and follow mom around when they are only two days old. They will remain as a group until winter.

The species is very rarely found in captivity, and at present it does not appear that there are any in United States institutions. Blood Pheasants live in very remote regions in the wild, and so have been safe from many of the threats that endanger different pheasant species. However, the population does appear to be on the decline, though it is slow enough to list them as being of Least Concern.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Himalayas
Size : Length up to 17in (43cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Ithaginis -- Species : I. cruentus

Read More

Hazel Grouse

Tetrastes bonasia (male)

Meet the Hazel Grouse, a little bitty member of its family that can be found across the northern areas of both Europe and Asia. They are sedentary birds that live and breed in dense forests, laying their eggs in nests on the ground.

These birds can be identified by their gray backs, reddish-brown wings, and barred white and dark underparts. Males have black throats that are outlined in white, as well as a short crest on the head. Females are smaller than the males, have shorter crests, and lack the black throats.

Even if you know what they look like, you will still probably hear the Hazel Grouse long before you see it... if you see it at all! Their dense forest habitat makes them very hard to see, and their shy personalities often keep them hidden. The males make very high pitched ti-ti-ti calls, and the females have smoother sounding tetete.

Female Hazel Grouse

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Asia, Europe
Size : Body Length up to 15in (39cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Tetrastes -- Species : T. bonasia

Read More

Crested Partridge

Male Rollulus rouloul

Surprise! It's a theme week! (Or... two weeks-ish). I realized I haven't done one of these in ages and ages, and I was inspired by this years Cost of 12 Days of Christmas. So we're doing the song!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a pear tree.


Well, we don't really cover plants here, so sorry Pear Tree. Partridge gets all the spotlight today!

Meet the Crested Partridge, a stunning little fellow found in Southeast Asia. The species is sexually dimorphic; males are black with brilliant red crests, while females are green with brown wings.

Female

Crested Partridges can be found in dense, lowland, forested areas. They need lots of cover to survive, as they both feed and nest on the ground. These birds are omnivores that consume fruits, nuts, insects, and snails, and there are even reports of them working with wild pigs, picking up the food bits that the hogs leave behind. They typically forage in pairs or groups, and are monogamous breeders (the fact that they live very social lives makes me sad that only one gets to go in the Pear Tree!). Both of the parents help to care for and feed the chicks, which are precocial.

Crested partridges are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss from the logging industry has decreased the numbers in some countries, though many of the birds do live within protected areas.

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatened
Location : Southeast Asia
Size : Length up to 10in (25cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Rollulus -- Species : R. rouloul

Read More

Burmese Peacock

Polyplectron bicalcaratum

Burmese Peacocks are also referred to as Grey Peacock-Pheasants, which is probably a more apt name, as they are not actually Peacocks... though they do belong to the same family. At any rate, they share some physical resemblances to Peacocks- most notably the eyes on their tail feathers.

Burmese Peacocks are the national birds of Myanmar, which was called Burma until 1989, though some still refer to it as such. The birds live in several other Southeast Asian countries as well, and are divided into four subspecies.

The species as a whole is listed as being of Least Concern, because they have a large range and population size. It unfortunately appears that they may be declining in number, but it is a slow descent that does not yet meet the vulnerability thresholds. The birds are listed under CITES Appendix II, because they can be kept in captivity and grabbing individuals from the wild could become problematic for the species.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Southeast Asia
Size : Length up to 30in (77cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Polyplectron -- Species : P. bicalcaratum

Read More

Ocellated Turkey

Meleagris ocellata

Well, last year I covered the Wild Turkey, so it seems fitting that for this Thanksgiving I write about its lesser known relative, the Ocellated Turkey. Did you know that they are the only two Turkey species in the entire world?

I wouldn't blame you if you had never heard of this bird until today. They have a very limited range and are not well studied. Ocellated Turkeys are found exclusively on the Yucatan peninsula, in a range that covers only about 50,000 square miles. They live in tropical forests, but enter more open habitats during the breeding season.

If placed side by side, it would be easy to tell the Ocellated Turkey apart from the Wild Turkey. They are smaller in size, but they are much more fanciful in color, sporting bronze and iridescent green plumage (though the males are of course more vibrant than the females). The diet of the Ocellated Turkey is quite varied. They are omnivores that feed on seeds, berries, nuts, and insects.

The species is threatened due to hunting and habitat loss. They are most vulnerable during the breeding season, as the birds enter areas that are more open in order to perform courtship displays.

---

IUCN Status : Near Threatened

Location : Mexico
Size : Weight up to 12lbs (5.4kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Meleagrididae -- Genus : Meleagris -- Species : M. ocellata

Read More

Common Pheasant

Male Common Pheasant

Though the Common (or Ring-Necked) Pheasant is the State Bird of South Dakota, it is not actually native to North America. Common Pheasants actually originated in Asia, and have been introduced all over the world. Pheasants were brought to the British Isles as long ago as 1,000 CE, and have been in the United States since the 1850s.

There are actually over 30 different subspecies of Common Pheasant, divided geographically. They are, as a species, the most common Pheasant on earth. Even though they are quite abundant, wild populations are sometimes supplemented with captive bred birds for hunting purposes.

Female

Because they are a common, introduced species, Common Pheasants can be found in all sorts of habitats. In their native lands they are most often seen in open grasslands and agricultural areas. They are omnivorous, eating plants, seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects.

Common Pheasants are very sexually dimorphic. The males have much longer, more colorful plumage. They have green necks, red cheeks, and bold, barred patterns. Females in comparison, are a very drab, mottled light brown. The males' feathers play a part in their mating habits. They use them to attract harems of females that can number up to 18 birds. They guard their females fiercely, but only until they start incubating their eggs. At that point the males abandon the females, who are left to incubate alone. Luckily the mom won't be busy for too long, the chicks are precocial and can begin making short flights after only two weeks!

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Originally from Asia

Size : Length 35in (90cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Phasianus -- Species : P. colchicus

Read More

Mountain Quail

Oreortyx pictus

The Mountain Quail is the largest Quail in the United States. They have a very striking appearance, with brown faces, gray bodies, and bold brown and white banding on the underside. Both males and females sport the iconic head plume, though it is more pronounced in the males.

Ground foraging is the Quails' method of feeding. They are an omnivorous species that consumes nuts, seeds, and the occasional insect. Juveniles and adult females tend to eat more insects than adult males, and young males will become more and more herbivorous as they age.

Mountain Quails are monogamous, and both parents incubate and care for the brood of 10-12. Chicks are precocial, meaning that they are up and about following their parents very soon after birth. Mountain Quails live in very small groups (called Coveys) that typically number fewer than 10 adult birds.

Due to their small Covey sizes and elusive behavior, it is difficult to determine exactly how many Mountain Quails are out there. We do know that habitat loss has been a contributor to population decline, as numbers have continued to shrink even in the states that have banned their hunting. Despite some of these local declines, the large range of the Mountain Quail has kept them listed as being of Least Concern.

---

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : North America, west of the Rocky Mountains
Size : Weighs up to 9oz (255g), Length 12in (30cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Odontophoridae -- Genus : Oreortyx-- Species : O. pictus

Read More

Green Peafowl

Male Green Peafowl

Phylum : Chordata
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae
Genus : Pavo
Species : P. muticus

Length : 3.5ft (1.1m) 
Weight : 11lbs (5.5g)

IUCN Status : Endangered

The Green Peafowl is a rather large gamefowl found in South East Asia. They are far more rare than the Blue (or Indian) Peafowl, which is commonly kept in captivity.Green Peafowl are known for their upright posture and brilliant green necks.

One of the big differences between the Green and Blue Peafowl is that male and female Greens look alike, with the exception of the males' long tails. Females are a tad more dull in color, but they are a far cry from the drab, camouflaging brown of the female Blue Peafowls.

Female Green Peafowl

Female Green Peafowl live in small groups together, along with juveniles. During the breeding season they are courted by the males who fan out their massive, colorful tails. Pairs do not form lasting bonds, and after the mating season the males molt their spectacular tail feathers.

Unfortunately, the long beautiful feathers and the substantial size of this species has caused them to be hunted. Habitat loss has also affected their population.

Read More

Wild Turkey

Come on, how could I write about anything else on (American) Thanksgiving? Turkeys are absolutely central to the holiday, as both the main meal and as an icon for the season. But rather than talk about the domestic bird that gets eaten, we're going to talk about their wild cousin, the feathered friend that Benjamin Franklin described as "a... respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America." Due to reintroduction and transplanting of wild populations, Wild Turkeys are now found in every U.S. state except for Alaska.

(Image Source)

Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are natively found throughout North America in six different subspecies. Turkeys were domesticated by the Aztecs, and by other native groups around the same time, and are one of only two bird species to be domesticated in North America (the other being the Muscovy Duck). It was once believed that the South Mexican subspecies was the wild ancestor to the domestic birds, but that has now been ruled out. The true identity of the original birds is still unknown.

Wild Turkeys are smaller than their domesticated brethren, and exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females reach weights of around 12lbs, while males around are 25. They are a polygynous species, with males mating with more than one female during each breeding season. The "Gobble" that is most associated with Turkeys is actually a mating call to attract females. After breeding, males take no part in the care of the chicks. Chicks follow their mother, and quickly learn how to feed themselves. In the wild, turkeys have a very short life expectancy of around two years, though captive birds have lived well over ten.

Did you know that Wild Turkeys are omnivores? They feed mostly on seeds, leaves, and nuts, but they do also eat insects and small vertebrates like lizards. Young Turkeys and Eggs have numerous predators, including Raccoons, Birds, and Skunks, while adults are preyed upon by larger predators such as Coyotes and Bobcats.

Read More