Helmeted Guineafowl
ExploreBirds
Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris
The Helmeted Guineafowl is a funny-looking bird with a bumpy head and spotted feathers. They love to run around and make silly sounds, often seen in groups in the grass.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Helmeted Guineafowl is a plump, dark grey bird covered in distinctive white spots. It has an unfeathered bluish-red head topped with a bony brown 'helmet' and red wattles. This unique head structure makes it easily recognizable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderGalliformesFamilyNumididaeGenusNumida
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Farmers often keep these birds to gobble up pesky ticks and insects!
Guineafowl are like natural alarm clocks with their very loud, cackling calls!
Their unique bony 'helmet' grows larger and more pronounced as they get older!
These social birds live in large flocks, sometimes with hundreds of members!
Special abilities
Ability
Alarm Caller
Helmeted Guineafowl can make very loud, repetitive calls that alert the whole flock to danger.
Ability
Pest Patrol
Helmeted Guineafowl has an excellent ability to forage and eat large numbers of ticks and insects.
Ability
Dust Bath Defender
Helmeted Guineafowl takes frequent dust baths that help them remove parasites from their feathers.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 53-58 cm
- Wingspan
- 90-100 cm
- Weight
- 1.1-1.6 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-8 years
- Top Speed
- 48 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 6-20
- Incubation
- 26-28 days
Diet & Feeding
Omnivores, they forage for a wide variety of seeds, insects, and plant parts on the ground.
Primary Foods
- Seeds
- Insects (locusts, grasshoppers, ticks)
- Tubers
- Berries
- Small vertebrates (lizards, mice)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Lion
Panthera leo
Large predators hunt guineafowl for food.
eaten by
Tawny Eagle
Aquila rapax
Raptors can catch young or unwary birds.
hunts
Migratory Locust
Locusta migratoria
Feeds on large numbers of insect pests.
depends on
Gum Arabic Tree
Acacia senegal
Feeds on seeds and shelters in acacia trees.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch from a distance and don't try to catch them; they are wild birds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Helmeted Guineafowl?
53-58 cm
What is Helmeted Guineafowl's wingspan?
90-100 cm
How much does Helmeted Guineafowl weigh?
1.1-1.6 kg
How long does Helmeted Guineafowl live?
6-8 years
How fast can Helmeted Guineafowl move?
48 km/h
What does Helmeted Guineafowl eat?
Omnivores, they forage for a wide variety of seeds, insects, and plant parts on the ground.
Where is Helmeted Guineafowl usually found?
Grasslands
How does Helmeted Guineafowl hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
.jpg&width=800)
