black-and-white poke-a-dot plumage (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris

Native Range: Africa

Notes: guineafowl, of which there are six extant species (all native to Africa), are large and mostly terrestrial gamebirds; nonetheless, they are certainly capable of strong flight; this common species inhabits grasslands, woodlands, and sometimes even suburban areas in eastern and southern Africa; little sexual dimorphism except that the male has a brighter head capped by a larger cask or helmet


male, as told by larger cask or helmet on head (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

dorsal view; blue skin patches on head and neck (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

standing on a roof, showing they can fly well (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

posing for a portrait (South Africa; 2007-06-30)