Vulturine guineafowl

The vulturine guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) is found in east Africa, from Somalia in the north to Tanzania in the south. It is resident mainly in desert thorn scrub but also sometimes in thick forest.


Appearance

It is quite a large bird at up to 26 inches in length. The plumage is generally black but with white streaks and spots. It has a cape of long black, white and blue feathers with a chestnut tuft at the nape. The underparts are cobalt blue and there is a pink edge to the secondary wing feathers. The central tail feathers are longer than the rest.

The legs are dark, the bill bluish-white, the eyes red and the facial skin grey-blue.


Behaviour

Vulterine guineafowls are usually seen in groups feeding on open ground within reach of water. They roost in nearby trees.

They are usually silent but will produce a shrill alarm cackle if disturbed and cluck when feeding.

Food consists of small reptiles and amphibians as well as molluscs and insects. The will also dig for seeds, bulbs and roots.


Breeding

The breeding season depends on location, with birds to the south of the range breeding in February while those further north wait until April.

The nest is a scrape in the grass, lined with soft material, protected by rocks or bushes. The clutch of up to 14 eggs is incubated by the female for up to 32 days.

© John Welford