Guineafowl
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2008-07-12T22:20:01Z
מלמד כץ
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{{Taxobox
| name = Guineafowl
| image = Helmeted guineafowl kruger00.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = [[Helmeted Guineafowl]], ''Numida meleagris''
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Aves]]
| ordo = [[Galliformes]]
| familia = '''Numididae'''
| familia_authority = [[Edmond de Sélys Longchamps|de Sélys Longchamps]], 1842
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
*''[[Agelastes]] ''
*''[[Numida]] ''
*''[[Guttera]] ''
*''[[Acryllium]]''
}}
The '''guineafowl''' (sometimes called guineahen) are a family of [[Aves|bird]]s in the same order as the [[pheasant]]s, [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]]s and other game birds and is native to [[Africa]].
==Description and ecology==
This is a family of [[insect]] and seed-eating, ground-nesting birds resembling [[partridge]]s, but with [[feather]]less heads and spangled grey plumage. At least three of the species are poorly studied.
[[Image:Numida meleagris.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Helmeted Guineafowl from Namibia.]]
The species for which the information is known are normally monogamous, mating for life. However, occasional bigamy has been recorded for the [[Helmeted Guineafowl]] (Madge and McGowan, p345-352).
They are large birds which measure from 40-71 cm in length, and weigh 700-1600 g.
The Helmeted Guineafowl has been domesticated and introduced outside its natural range, for example in southern [[France]], the [[West Indies]], and esp. the [[United States]].
The [[American Ornithologists' Union]] includes guineafowl (Numididae) as a subfamily of [[Phasianidae]].
[[Image:helmeted guinea fowl.jpg|thumb|Helmeted Guinea Fowl in tall grass]]
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==List of species in taxonomic order==
This is a list of guineafowl [[species (biology)|species]], presented in [[taxonomic order]].
* [[White-breasted Guineafowl]], ''Agelastes meleagrides''
* [[Black Guineafowl]], ''Agelastes niger''
* [[Helmeted Guineafowl]], ''Numida meleagris''
* [[Plumed Guineafowl]], ''Guttera plumifera''
* [[Crested Guineafowl]], ''Guttera pucherani''
* [[Vulturine Guineafowl]], ''Acryllium vulturinum''
==Domesticated guineafowl==
{{main article|Domesticated guineafowl}}
Guineafowl have a long history of domestication, mainly involving the Helmeted Guineafowl. The young, called "keets" are very small at birth. The keets are kept in a brooder box inside the house until about 6 weeks of age, before being moved into a proper coop/enclosure. They eat lice, worms, ants, spiders, weedseeds, and ticks while on range or they can also eat chicken layer crumbles while housed in a coop.
==References==
* Madge and McGowan,''Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse'' ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
* Martínez, I. (1994). Family Numididae (Guineafowl). Pp.554-570 in; del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 2. New World Vultures to Guineafowl. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 8487334156
==External links==
*[http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/familia.phtml?idFamilia=39 Guineafowl videos] on the Internet Bird Collection
[[Category:Numididae|*]]
[[Category:Bird families]]
[[Category:Birds of Ghana]]
[[frp:Pintâda]]
[[bg:Токачки]]
[[cs:Perličkovití]]
[[da:Perlehøns]]
[[de:Perlhühner]]
[[es:Numididae]]
[[fr:Pintade]]
[[he:פניניתיים]]
[[hr:Biserke]]
[[it:Numida meleagris galeata]]
[[id:Ayam Guinea]]
[[sv:Pärlhöns]]
[[sw:Kanga (ndege)]]
[[ht:Pentad]]
[[nl:Parelhoenders]]
[[ja:ホロホロチョウ科]]
[[no:Perlehøns]]
[[pl:Perlice]]
[[pt:Numididae]]
[[ru:Цесарковые]]
[[fi:Helmikanat]]
[[te:గిన్నికోడి]]
[[tr:Gine tavuğu]]