Red Junglefowl Did you see this animal?
Scientific Name : Gallus gallus
Family : Phasianidae
Order : Galliformes
Class : Aves
Phylum : Chordata
Other Name : Wild Junglefowl
Habitat : All kind of forests
Description : The Red Junglefowl is a terrestrial bird whose male is very vocal in all seasons (adult bird length approximately 57 cm, weight 1 kg, wing 20.5 cm, bill 2 cm, tarsus 7.5 cm, tail 24.7 cm). Its male differs from the female. The male has deep orange-red upperparts with golden-yellow hackles across the nape and mantle. The female has a chestnut forehead and a dull-rufous crown. Red junglefowl are commonly found in disturbed habitats and along the edges of both natural and human-altered environments. They are particularly attracted to areas with foraging opportunities and dense cover, which makes them appealing to nesting females. These birds utilize deforested areas as well as regenerating forests, often occurring near human settlements or areas where regrowth from slash-and-burn agriculture has taken place. They are also drawn to regions that have been burned to promote bamboo growth, as it provides access to bamboo seeds, which are a food source for them.
Red junglefowl can be absent from silvicultural and rubber plantations in certain areas but can be found in tea plantations and palm oil plantations. Regular dust bathing is an essential behavior for these birds as it helps maintain the proper balance of oil in their plumage. Dust absorbs excess oil and subsequently falls off, keeping their feathers in good condition.
Flight in red junglefowl is mainly used for reaching their roosting sites at sunset, seeking high and safe places away from ground predators. They also rely on flight as a means of escaping immediate danger during the day.
Dominant male junglefowl defend territories against other dominant males, and the proximity of roost sites has been used to estimate territory sizes. Territories are relatively small compared to some other pheasant species. Within flocks, there are dominance hierarchies among the males, with dominant individuals having larger combs than subordinate males. Red junglefowl typically live in small flocks consisting of one to a few males and several females. While males may be occasionally found alone, females tend to be more social. These birds are attracted to areas with ripe fruit or seeds, including fruit plantations, domestic grain fields, and bamboo stands. They primarily forage on fallen fruits and seeds on the ground but may also perch on branches to feed on hanging fruits. Their diet includes a wide variety of fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, tubers, as well as arthropods, invertebrates, and small lizards.
Red junglefowl can be absent from silvicultural and rubber plantations in certain areas but can be found in tea plantations and palm oil plantations. Regular dust bathing is an essential behavior for these birds as it helps maintain the proper balance of oil in their plumage. Dust absorbs excess oil and subsequently falls off, keeping their feathers in good condition.
Flight in red junglefowl is mainly used for reaching their roosting sites at sunset, seeking high and safe places away from ground predators. They also rely on flight as a means of escaping immediate danger during the day.
Dominant male junglefowl defend territories against other dominant males, and the proximity of roost sites has been used to estimate territory sizes. Territories are relatively small compared to some other pheasant species. Within flocks, there are dominance hierarchies among the males, with dominant individuals having larger combs than subordinate males. Red junglefowl typically live in small flocks consisting of one to a few males and several females. While males may be occasionally found alone, females tend to be more social. These birds are attracted to areas with ripe fruit or seeds, including fruit plantations, domestic grain fields, and bamboo stands. They primarily forage on fallen fruits and seeds on the ground but may also perch on branches to feed on hanging fruits. Their diet includes a wide variety of fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, tubers, as well as arthropods, invertebrates, and small lizards.
Distribution in Bangladesh
Other Species from Group
-
Coturnix coturnix
(Common Quail) -
Synoicus chinensis
(Asian Blue Quail) -
Francolinus gularis
(Swamp Francolin) -
Pavo cristatus
(Indian Peafowl) -
Arborophila rufogularis
(Rufous‑throated Partridge) -
Francolinus francolinus
(Black Francolin) -
Arborophila atrogularis
(White‑cheeked Partridge) -
Pavo muticus
(Green Peafowl) -
Lophura leucomelanos
(Kalij Pheasant) -
Francolinus pondicerianus
(Grey Francolin)
Species groups
-
Bee-eaters -
Booby -
frigatebird -
phalarope -
tropicbird -
Martins and Swallows -
Crows, Drongos & allies -
Woodpeckers -
Eared Nightjars -
Ibises & Spoonbills -
Trogons -
Coucals -
Pelicans -
Darters -
Gulls -
Warblers and allies -
Flowerpeckers & Sunbirds -
Sparrows, Wagtails, Pipits a& allies -
moonbird -
Hawks & Eagles -
Snipes, Sandpipers, Plovers & allies -
Small Kingfishers -
Cisticola & Prinia -
Plovers & Lapwings -
Rails, Gallinules & Coots -
Tits -
Parrots -
Rosefinches and Buntings -
Bustards -
Grebes -
Pheasants & Partridges -
Old World flycatcher -
Starlings and Mynas -
Hornbills -
Buttonquails -
Rollers -
Bluebirds -
Crested Kingfishers -
Cormorants -
Pigeons and Doves -
Jacanas -
Typical Owl -
Finfoots &booby -
Flamingo -
Herons and Bitterns -
Treecreepers -
Nuthatch -
Barbets -
Treeswifts -
Swifts -
Crab-plovers, Coursers and Pratincoles -
Bulbuls -
Frogmouths -
Larks -
Storks -
Broadbills -
Thick-knees -
Painted-snipes -
Nightjars -
Barn-owls -
Large-billed Kingfishers -
Falcons -
Pittas -
Cranes -
Whistling-ducks -
Ducks, Geese & Swans -
Hoopoe
References:
description written by:Fatema-Tuz-Zohora,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;Photo credit and copyright:Syed Abbas (Birdwing,Bangladesh);taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;bird song owner:Marc Anderson(www.xeno-canto.org/Marc Anderson), bird sound copyright reserved according to www.xeno-canto.org rules; more information, please contact us.
description written by:Fatema-Tuz-Zohora,Department of Zoology, Jagannath University,Dhaka;information source: Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol-26, iucnredlist.org;Photo credit and copyright:Syed Abbas (Birdwing,Bangladesh);taxonomic checklist:P. M. Thompson and S. U. Chowdhury (2020). A checklist of birds of Bangladesh.Birds Bangladesh;bird song owner:Marc Anderson(www.xeno-canto.org/Marc Anderson), bird sound copyright reserved according to www.xeno-canto.org rules; more information, please contact us.