Black Guineafowl
Agelastes niger
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<birdfyi-bird slug="agelastes-niger"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized guineafowl (~700 g) of family Numididae, with entirely black plumage and a bare red head and neck. Inhabits lowland rainforest understory in the Congo Basin of central Africa. Forages in small flocks on the forest floor for insects, seeds, and small invertebrates. Least Concern; associated with primary forest but broadly distributed across the Congo rainforest.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 42.1 cm | 16.6 in |
| Weight | 700.0 g | 24.69 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Entirely glossy black throughout; bare reddish-pink head and neck devoid of casque or wattle; no white spotting; legs dark; tail short and black. Uniform all-black plumage distinguishes from spotted relatives.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident in the Congo Basin of Central Africa from Cameroon east to Uganda. Found in lowland and foothill rainforest.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; forages in Central African rainforests for invertebrates, seeds, fallen fruits, and small vertebrates in leaf litter.
Conservation Status
Sound
Song
Produces a high-pitched, metallic clinking call and soft clucking series. Calls are unlike Helmeted Guineafowl; the metallic clinking echoes through Central African lowland forest.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Numididae (Guineafowl) |
| Genus | Agelastes |
| Species | Agelastes niger |
Distribution
Black Guineafowl has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Numididae family