Red Junglefowl

Description:

The red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is a tropical member of the family Phasianidae. It's the primary progenitor of the domestic chicken (though genetic evidence suggests past hybridisation with the Grey Junglefowl as well). The Red Junglefowl was domesticated some 5,000 years in Asia. The range of the wild form stretches from India eastwards across Indochina and southern China to Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia.

Habitat:

Actually this pair was found scavenging on a small construction dump yard by the side of a motor road. The road passes through a thick sal forest. There is a river some 200 - 300m down from the road. Across the river are areas of paddy and corn fields. Though sub-tropical, this is a hot place.

Notes:

While returning from a distant place in West Sikkim during our weekend trip, we (wife, me and son) spotted this pair by the side of a road. I told our son to take the vehicle back so that the late afternoon low sun will fall at a low angle on the bids' eyes. And also told him start clicking as the the birds happened to be on his side of the vehicle. I feel he has done quite a good job!