Guinea Fowl

Description:

An African bird (Numida meleagris) related to the pheasants, raised for food in many parts of the world, and marked by a bare neck and head and slaty plumage speckled with white; broadly. One species (Numida meleagris) is widely domesticated for its flesh and, because it gabbles loudly at the least alarm, as a “watchdog” on farms. About 20 in. (50 cm) long, in its typical form it has a bare face, brown eyes, red and blue wattles at the bill, white-spotted black plumage, and a hunched posture. It lives in flocks and feeds on seed tubers and some insects.

Habitat:

Their native range includes all suitable habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, but they have been successfully introduced in many different regions worldwide, including western Yemen, southern France, Australia and Brazil. Birds that have escaped from domesticated or exotic flocks can be seen nearly anywhere and may establish small feral populations.