Acryllium vulturinum

(Hardwicke, 1834)

Vernacular names
English : Vulturine Guineafowl
French : Pintade vulturine

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Galliformes
Family : Numididae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Largest Guineafowl species reaching a length of 72 cm for a weight of 1.6 kg. Unmistakable. Small bald head with brown feathering on nape. Blue back breast and belly with long black and white plumes. Wings black with white spots.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in Eastern Africa, from South and East Ethiopia to Somalia, south to North-East Tanzania. It lives mostly in semi-arid grasslands and scrublands, often on red soil areas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species remains common throughout its range in spite of hunting. May be vulnerable to climate changes leading to reduction of its range.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation
Jurong Bird Park (Singapore), Zoo Prague (Czechia)

 

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