Photo: Daniel Giraud Elliot / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Guineafowl
Agelastes niger
Black Guineafowl (Agelastes niger) — Gamebirds of Africa.
The Black Guineafowl (Agelastes niger) is a member of the Numididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 700 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Numididae Guineafowl
- Genus Agelastes
- Species niger
Quick facts
- Weight
- 700 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Numididae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Guineafowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black Guineafowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Guineafowl (Agelastes niger) is a member of the Numididae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Nigeria to c DR Congo.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 700 g, with a wing length of about 21 cm and a tail of around 13.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 764,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Guineafowl?
The Black Guineafowl is a large bird that weighs around 700 g.
Where does the Black Guineafowl live?
The Black Guineafowl is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Nigeria to c DR Congo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black Guineafowl belong to?
The Black Guineafowl (Agelastes niger) belongs to the Numididae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Black Guineafowl eat?
The Black Guineafowl is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Black Guineafowl migrate?
The Black Guineafowl is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Guineafowl endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Black Guineafowl's range?
The Black Guineafowl has a mapped global range of about 764,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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