White-breasted Guineafowl
Agelastes meleagrides
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<birdfyi-bird slug="agelastes-meleagrides"></birdfyi-bird>The White-breasted Guineafowl (Agelastes meleagrides) is a bird species in the family Numididae (guineafowl), within the order Galliformes (gamebirds). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 44 cm and a weight of 815 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Vulnerable.
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About
A medium-sized guineafowl (~815 g) of family Numididae, with white breast, black body, and a bare pinkish-red head. Inhabits primary lowland rainforest understory in West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ivory Coast. Forages on the forest floor in small flocks for seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Vulnerable due to severe deforestation of Upper Guinea forests and hunting.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 44.0 cm | 17.3 in |
| Weight | 815.0 g | 28.75 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Body black with white breast and upper belly creating sharp bicoloured pattern; bare pink-red head and neck; no casque or wattles; tail black. Pied black-and-white body pattern is unique among guineafowl.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident in the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa from Sierra Leone and Liberia east to Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Found in lowland rainforest.
Diet & Feeding
Forages in African rainforest understorey for invertebrates, seeds, and fallen fruits. Scratches leaf litter in small flocks.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Clutch Size
12
Sound
Song
Emits a high-pitched, metallic chink-chink call and soft clucking contact notes. The ringing, metallic notes are unlike typical guineafowl calls; heard in West African lowland rainforest.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Numididae (Guineafowl) |
| Genus | Agelastes |
| Species | Agelastes meleagrides |
Distribution
White-breasted Guineafowl has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the White-breasted Guineafowl eat?
Where does the White-breasted Guineafowl live?
Is the White-breasted Guineafowl endangered?
What does the White-breasted Guineafowl sound like?
How big is the White-breasted Guineafowl?
What order and family does the White-breasted Guineafowl belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Numididae family