Step into the world of our helmeted guineafowl and unlock the wonders of these extraordinary creatures
This unique African bird was brought to New Zealand in the 1860s, however, the early introductions were unsuccessful. The current scattered bird populations likely originated from farmyard escapees.
The helmeted guineafowl has striking grey plumage, adorned with numerous white spots. The bird's short, featherless neck leads to a small, bare head. Its lower face and upper neck feature sky-blue skin, red-tipped wattles, and a darker blue throat float. The cere, forehead, and crown are a vibrant red. The bird's lower neck is covered with brownish-grey down-like feathers that extend halfway up the back of the upper neck, merging into normal slate-grey body feathers with a dozen or more uniformly spaced white spots, giving the bird an overall speckled appearance.
Quick facts
Distribution:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat:
Savannah, farmlands
Conservation Status:
Least Concern