Crested Guineafowl

(Guttera pucherani)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Range: G. p. pucherani - Eastern Africa, from southern Somalia south through eastern Kenya to central Tanzania; G. p. edouardi - Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa; G. p. barbata - Southern Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi; G. p. verreauxi - Western Kenya, Angola and western Zambia; G. p. sclateri - Nigeria and Cameroon.

Subspecies: Some authorities place pucherani (Kenya Crested Guineafowl) has a distinct species and edouardi as a distinct species with 4 (more have been described) subspecies. Subspecies mentioned above with ranges.

Habitat: Varied, pucherani inhabits open woodlands, thickets and forest edge; edouardi inhabit thicker forested areas.

Description: pucherani - Body plumage much like a typical guineafowl, with overall dark gray to black covered with whitish spots; most recognizable feature is the short, curly "mop" of black feathers on the head, the rest of head and neck are bare with blue skin, red skin around eye and on neck; eyes are red; legs dark brown to black; sexes are similar. edouardi - Similar to pucherani, but with a much darker collar; neck and facial skin grayish-blue, darker than pucherani, but with a white fold on neck; eyes dark brown; legs gray; sexes similar. barbata - Bare neck and facial skin black and blue, without any white or red. verreauxi - The throat is bright red with blue facial skin; the spotting on body plumage bluish-white. sclateri - The crest is much shorter than all mentioned; bare facial skin is blue with light red on throat.

Status in Wild: Uncommon; affected by habitat loss.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: Still considered uncommon, but is increasing in America with recent imports from Africa. Most in captivity are pucherani, but edouardi have been imported in the last 20 years and there may still be a few in aviculture. A census is neeed to determine their status.

Misc. Aviculture Notes: Care as in Vulturine Guineafowl. Will need protection in colder climates. Has been kept in mixed species aviaries (including other Galliformes) at several zoological institutions.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1, Dan Cowell; Lynn Swafford.

• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Sinclair, I., Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa, South of the Sahara. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Sinclair, I., Hockey, P., Tarboton, W., 2002. Birds of Southern Africa. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Zimmerman, D., Turner, D., Pearson, D., 1999. Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Crested Guineafowl - African Bird Image Database by African Bird Club/Birding Africa.
• Crested Guineafowl - Info sheet from guineas.com.
• Crested Guineafowl - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds.
• Wikipedia - Crested Guineafowl - Wikipedia's species page.