Showing posts with label BUSHVELD HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris ssp. mitratus). Show all posts
Showing posts with label BUSHVELD HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris ssp. mitratus). Show all posts
Tuesday, 13 August 2019
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Monday, 15 July 2019
22-5-2019 MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE - BUSHVELD HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris ssp. mitratus)
The Bushveld Helmeted Guineafowl is a social, ground-dwelling bird known for its loud calls, black-and-white speckled plumage, and a distinctive bony "helmet" on its head, forming large flocks that forage for insects, seeds, and ticks in savannas, preferring to run from danger rather than fly, though capable of short bursts of flight. They are highly adaptable, roost in trees at night for safety, and are valued in farming for pest control, eating ticks and rodents.
Appearance & Characteristics
Plumage: Dark gray-black with fine white spots, resembling pearls or beads.
Head: Features a hard, bony knob (casque) and bare skin that can be red, blue, or white/yellow, depending on subspecies.
Size: About 53-58 cm long, with a round body.
Behavior & Habitat
Social & Gregarious: Forms large flocks (25-40+ birds) outside breeding season, often seen in Kruger National Park and similar savanna areas.
Terrestrial: Spends most of its day on the ground, walking and scratching for food.
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