Helmeted Guineafowl | Numida meleagris

The helmeted guineafowl belongs to the guineafowl-bird family, Numididae, and are native to Africa, mainly in regions south of the Sahara. They have a very extensive distribution area and inhabit the most diverse habitats. These can be savannahs, bushland, forest edges, semi-deserts and even agricultural land. The helmeted guineafowl has an unfeathered head, but the plumage on its round body is gray-black sprinkled with white. These are very sociable birds and often live in large groups of up to 100 birds.

Serengeti-Park animals: Helmeted Guineafowl

During the breeding season in the Summer, the individual couples become territorial. The guineafowl are ground breeders and hide their nests in the dense grass of the savannah. Up to 12 eggs can be in a nest. The hens incubate the eggs alone, while the cocks guard the nests. In Africa, helmeted guineafowls are popular farm animals. Farmers use them as biological pest controllers as they peck insects off the plants. As a result, their holdings in agricultural areas have increased. Since the 18th century, they are also kept in Europe as livestock.

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