Helmeted Guineafowl
Numida meleagris
Description: Helmeted guineafowl are 17 to 19 inches long, and up to 4 pounds in weight. The head and neck of the helmeted guineafowl are bare, but there may be a wattle. The bill is short and stout; the body is stocky and black and dotted uniformly with white spots; and the wings are medium sized and rounded.
General Information: With helmeted guineafowl, both sexes look the same. In ancient times, they were raised for food. Here at the Abilene Zoo, we have 1 helmeted guineafowl which is white in coloration. Our helmeted guineafowl have free range at the zoo, so be sure to give them their space, as they are scared easily.
Habitat: Bush, scrubland, shrubbed grassland.
Range: Madagascar, Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda
Reproduction: Lay up to 20 eggs, although nests have been found which contain as many as 50 eggs. Eggs hatch after a 26-28 day incubation period.
Life Span: Up to 15 years.
Diet:
In the Wild: Seeds, small reptiles, invertebrates.
At the Zoo: Smelt, bird of prey diet, wild bird seed, apples, oranges, beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, vitamins, trout chow, mealworms, romaine lettuce, spinach, giraffe chow, dog food.
Interesting Facts: Helmeted guineafowl are able to fly, although they are mainly terrestrial, spending most of their time on the ground.
