Fun Crested Guineafowl Facts For Kids

Chicken or birds species? Once you see this odd-looking bird species of Africa, you may think whether this Kenya crested guineafowl species is a chicken that can count on your menu for dinner in your diet or a bird species that can fly.

However, crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) is neither a chicken species nor can it fly. Crested guineafowl is, however, a bird species of Africa that is known as a ground-nesting bird as this species feeds mainly on the ground on insects, beetles, and other vegetation as it is an omnivorous bird species found in Africa.

Its scientific name is guttera pucherani. Crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) is also known as Kenya crested guineafowl or helmeted guineafowl.

Let’s learn and find out more about this crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani). For more relatable content, check out these whiskered screech owl facts and canyon wren facts for kids.

‍

Crested Guineafowl Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a crested guineafowl?

Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) birds are nothing but birds endemic in Africa who are classified into the family of Numididae where this animal subspecies comes in the Galliformes order.

What class of animal does a crested guineafowl belong to?

Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) is a bird found in Africa, it comes under the avian class of bird in Africa further classified into Numididae family and order Galliformes family.

How many crested guineafowls are there in the world?

Helmeted guineafowl birds in the forests are estimated to have a population of 10,000 helmeted guineafowls, including Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) as well in Africa.

Where does a crested guineafowl live?

You can spot Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) birds in sub-Saharan deserts, forests, and domesticated places or in farms.

What is a crested guineafowl's habitat?

An ideal habitat of a Kenya crested guineafowl (Guttera pucherani) bird consists of a ground where this bird from family Numididae can get its mouth on insects, grass, and other food to thrive in the Mozambique forests.

Who do crested guineafowls live with?

As helmeted guineafowl bird is a sub-Saharan bird, it can live fairly well among humans as it needs to be domesticated in order to survive and breed.

How long does a crested guineafowl live?

Helmeted crested guineafowl has a long lifespan of 12-15 years like other birds. If the Kenya crested guinea fowl is in good hands, this helmeted guineafowl will do well and survive.

How do they reproduce?

The crested guineafowl animal prefers a monogamous life living and breeding with only a special and particular female fowl. This guinea fowl species indulges in reproduction in a well-crafted nest, and the female lays one egg a day, which may total up to 12 eggs laid in the following days.

What is their conservation status?

This helmeted crested guineafowl species has a stable population of around 10,000 birds in a forest habitat. However, subspecies of these birds of Africa are somewhat in trouble and may go up to extinction soon particularly in a forest.

Crested Guineafowl Fun Facts

What do crested guineafowls look like?

A crested guineafowl in a forest has six different subspecies namely, helmeted, white-breasted blue, plumed, black, vulturine, crest. These subspecies of guineafowl in a forest have similar appearances and look.

The guinea fowl head appears round and has a blue layer of the chest with several white dottings on their skin and feathers. Guineafowls are found in several habitats like forests, deserts, and farms. This green habitat or dry habitat favors such guineas, and they do well in such habitat as they can easily find their prey.

How cute are they?

Ideally, the guinea fowl appeals to a large number of the human population as they are kept mainly to be cooked later on. Guinea fowl do look cute with their small chicken head, white spots, and unique appearance. Apart from a food source, people breed and grow these birds of Africa as pets.

How do they communicate?

By now, we’ve seen guineafowls are monogamous and prefer to have only one mating partner for the rest of their lives. Guinea fowl bird only communicates with its loved ones by making a noise similar to chickens. Although guineas are typically quiet, they can be very noisy if disturbed.

How big is a crested guineafowl?

The length of a plumed crested guinea fowl falls in the range of 16-28 in (40-71 cm) and the wingspan is in the range of 59-71 in (150-180 cm) while the weight is in the range of 2.9 lb (1.3 kg). Guinea hens are seen as heavier than guinea cocks due to the presence of larger reproductive organs.

How fast can a crested guineafowl fly?

Guineafowls do not possess the ability to fly despite being birds. This bird with a long neck can only run at a normal pace, similar to chickens.

How much does a crested guineafowl weigh?

Guineafowls' weight range is 2.9 lb (1.3 kg). The weight is also dependent on their diet, generally, the weight of the male is more than the weight of the female.

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male guineafowl is known as a guinea cock, and a female guineafowl is known as a guinea hen.

What would you call a baby crested guineafowl?

A baby crested guineafowl is simply known as a juvenile fowl or just a guineafowl.

What do they eat?

Their diet varies. Guineafowls love to prey on insects, beetles, and other insects as a part of their diet, for they are ground-nesting birds. Guineas’ diet also includes vegetation as well as they like to eat grass.

A plumed guineafowl diet may consist of more insects to compensate for their weight. With this diet, a Kenya crested guineafowl does well in a habitat. The weight of these birds depends on their diet.

Are they dangerous?

Not at all is a Kenya crested guineafowl dangerous. These innocent guineafowls or helmeted guineafowl never cause harm to any people as they are just like chickens. In contrast, this animal species faces considerable danger from humans as Numida meleagris are hunted for food and domesticated.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, without any doubt. These fowls can be seen as pets in the farms either for breeding purposes or as a food source for the countryside people. If kept in an area where temperatures drop below zero, guinea fowl can get frostbite and lose toes.

Did you know...

Helmeted guinea fowl possess the ability to fly, but Numida meleagris prefer to stay on the ground walking. With their long neck, they do look tall and cute, having bony structures. It is seen that guineas can walk up to 6 mi (10 km) in a day.

Guinea fowls are found in the wild in the UK where it forages in large flocks and is considered a fine game bird.

Guinea hen is known as 'inpangela' in Africa. The guinea hen is a symbol of hard work in the region.

These birds have been used to control wood ticks and insects such as grasshoppers, flies, and cricket.

What is a flock of guineas called?

A flock of guineas in a habitat is called confusion.

Can guinea fowl breed with chickens?

It will be highly against the breeding ability of both chickens and guinea fowl, and it is not at all preferred to breed them.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these little crow facts and ringneck dove facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable crested guineafowl coloring pages.