Crested Guineafowl (Guttera pucherani)
Crested Guineafowl (Guttera pucherani)
Range: G. p. pucherani - Eastern Africa, from southern Somalia south
through eastern Kenya to central Tanzania; G. p. edouardi -
Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa; G. p. barbata - Southern
Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi; G. p. verreauxi - Western Kenya,
Angola and western Zambia; G. p. sclateri - Nigeria and Cameroon.
Subspecies: Some authorities place pucherani (Kenya Crested
Guineafowl) has a distinct species and edouardi as a distinct species
with 4 (more have been described) subspecies. Subspecies mentioned
above with ranges.
Habitat: Varied, pucherani inhabits open woodlands, thickets and
forest edge; edouardi inhabit thicker forested areas.
Description: pucherani - Body plumage much like a typical guineafowl,
with overall dark gray to black covered with whitish spots; most
recognizable feature is the short, curly "mop" of black feathers on
the head, the rest of head and neck are bare with blue skin, red skin
around eye and on neck; eyes are red; legs dark brown to black; sexes
are similar. edouardi - Similar to pucherani, but with a much darker
collar; neck and facial skin grayish-blue, darker than pucherani, but
with a white fold on neck; eyes dark brown; legs gray; sexes similar.
barbata - Bare neck and facial skin black and blue, without any white
or red. verreauxi - The throat is bright red with blue facial skin;
the spotting on body plumage bluish-white. sclateri - The crest is
much shorter than all mentioned; bare facial skin is blue with light
red on throat.
Status in Wild: Uncommon; affected by habitat loss.
Avicultural Data
Status in Aviculture: Still considered uncommon, but is increasing in
America with recent imports from Africa. Most in captivity are
pucherani, but edouardi have been imported in the last 20 years and
there may still be a few in aviculture. A census is neeed to determine
their status.
Misc. Aviculture Notes: Care as in Vulturine Guineafowl. Will need
protection in colder climates. Has been kept in mixed species aviaries
(including other Galliformes) at several zoological institutions.
