Numida Meleagris

The helmeted guineafowl is the best known of the guineafowl bird family.They are related to turkeys, pheasants, partridges, grouse, quail, and chickens. They have plump roundish bodies that range in length from about 16-28 inches and weigh between 1.5 and 3.5 lbs. They are frequently domesticated and raised for their meat and eggs. The name is derived from a large backward curving dull-yellow or reddish bony “helmet” on top of its small head. The body is covered in blackish-gray feathers with tiny white spots that end in a type of pointed tail. Their heads and necks are featherless and blue in color. A wattle hangs on each side of the beak. While males and females look alike, males may have a larger helmet and wattles.