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Grey Junglefowl

Gallus sonneratii
The Grey Junglefowl is a wild chicken that is closely related to the Red Junglefowl-- the bird from which domesticated chickens descend from.

Like its cousin, the Grey Junglefowl lives in southern Asia, specifically in India, where is is endemic. They live in both dense and open areas, and are also found near human settlements. Because of their ability to adapt to human-shaped environments, the Grey Junglefowl aren't in any major conservation trouble.

You can identify these birds by the mottled brown and black feathers that give them a greyish appearance. Males also sport sleek black tails and a red crest-- though the crest and wattle aren't as large as those found in their relatives.

Grey Junglefowl feed on all sorts of things, including insects, berries, grains, and seeds. They breed once a year, usually sometimes between February and May, and produce up to 7 offspring per clutch.

Grey Junglefowl can be kept in captivity, and will often breed and produce hybrids with other Junglefowl, or with Domestic Chickens.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : India
Size : Length up to 18in (43cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. sonneratii
Image : Der Irbis

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Comments

  1. Adriana RoblesSeptember 24, 2013 at 11:33 PM

    They're so beautiful! Thanks for sharing this post. :)

    vegcourtesy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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