Numida meleagris reichenowi

(Ogilvie-Grant, 1894)

Vernacular names
English : Helmeted guineafowl
French : Pintade à casque

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Numididae
Notes : 7 other subspecies known.

Identification
This species can grow to 63 cm long for a weight of 1,8 kg. Black legs, body dark grey, white round spots on each feathers and rows of markings on wings. Subspecies with bright blue face skin, black nape, long curved helmet, short red wattles.

Range and habitat
Subspecies found in Kenya and central Tanzania. Species found in northwest Morocco, then from Senegal to Somalia, to South Africa. It lives in savannas, open woodlands, cultivations, near waterholes, to 3000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common although the North African subspecies could be close to extinction. Race galeatus domesticated and widely introduced. Zoo stock composed at least partly of hybrids.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation
Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Burgers Zoo (Netherlands)

 

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