Junglefowl

The Junglefowl are a group of four species of bird in the pheasant family which occur in India, Sri Lanka and south east Asia.

These are large birds, with colourful male plumage, but are nevertheless difficult to see in the dense vegetation they inhabit.

As with many birds in the pheasant family, the colourful male plays no part in the incubation of the egg or rearing of the precocial young. These duties are performed by the drab and well-camouflaged female.

The junglefowl are seed-eaters, but insects are also taken, particularly by the young birds.

One of the species in this genus, the Red Junglefowl, is of historical importance as the likely ancestor of the domesticated chicken.

Species

• Order Galliformes
  • Family Phasianidae (part)
    • Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus
    • Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Gallus lafayetii
    • Grey Junglefowl , Gallus sonneratii
    • Green Junglefowl , Gallus varius