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Landfowl

Landfowl usually refers to birds that mainly move on the ground, forage and breed on land) A more detailed introduction and classification overview. It should be noted that "landfowl" is not a strict monophyletic group, but an "eco-morphological" collection formed based on ecological and morphological characteristics (such as feeding, running or perching on the ground). Modern bird phylogenetic studies show that these ground-dwelling birds are scattered in multiple different orders and have no single common ancestor. Landfowl is one of the six major ecological groups of birds. Landfowl refers to birds in the Galliformes and Columbidae in the class Aves. There are 52 species of birds in these two orders in Yunnan. These birds mainly live on land, so they are called landfowl. Grouse, pheasants, peacocks, etc. all belong to this category. Most landfowl are resident birds, and a small number are migratory birds.

I. Introduction to Terrestrial Birds

1. Definition and Key Traits

  • Primarily Ground-Dwelling: Most terrestrial birds spend significant time foraging, nesting, or resting on the ground. Some (like ostriches and emus) have entirely lost the ability to fly, while others (e.g., many galliform birds) can fly short distances but generally stay on land.

  • Body and Limb Adaptations: They often have strong leg musculature for running, scratching, or digging in the soil. Certain groups specialize in endurance running (e.g., ostriches), while others rely on short, explosive flights for escape (e.g., pheasants).

  • Ecological Diversity: They inhabit a range of environments—tropical savannas, temperate deserts, montane scrublands, and agricultural grasslands. Their diets can be herbivorous, omnivorous, or carnivorous (e.g., eating seeds, insects, small invertebrates).

  • Close Relationship with Humans: Many terrestrial birds have been domesticated (chicken, turkey, guineafowl) or hunted (pheasants, quail). They hold substantial economic and cultural significance.

2. Diversity and Ecological Roles

  • Terrestrial birds span flightless “ratites” (e.g., ostriches, rheas, emus) to ground-adapted fowl that can still fly short distances (e.g., galliform birds like chickens and pheasants).

  • In wild ecosystems, they act as seed dispersers, vegetation controllers, or key links in the food web. In human societies, they provide meat, eggs, and cultural value (e.g., game birds, ornamental species).

II. Evolutionary History

  1. Origins and Radiation

    • Birds emerged from theropod dinosaurs in the Mesozoic era and diversified extensively by the end of the Cretaceous. Some lineages adopted primarily ground-based lifestyles, developing running, scratching, or ground-nesting traits.

    • During the Paleogene and Neogene, geographic isolation and varied habitats spurred further specialization, such as flightless ratites in the Southern Hemisphere and galliforms in the Northern Hemisphere.

  2. Single or Multiple Losses of Flight

    • Large, flightless birds (e.g., ostriches, emus, cassowaries, rheas) exemplify parallel evolution, having independently reduced or lost their flying abilities.

    • Although scattered in different orders/families, they share similar adaptations for terrestrial living (large bodies, powerful legs).

  3. Co-Evolution with Humans

    • Humans have domesticated chickens, turkeys, guineafowl for centuries and hunted many species of pheasants and quail.

    • Several terrestrial birds have significant economic value in agriculture and ecotourism, but habitat loss and hunting threaten some wild populations.

III. Major “Terrestrial Bird” Groups and Classification Table

Below is a list of notable ground-dwelling bird orders and families according to modern avian taxonomy. As “terrestrial birds” are not a monophyletic clade, these orders differ widely in phylogeny but share a ground-based ecological lifestyle.

(A) Ratites and Allies (Flightless “Running Birds”)

1. Ostriches, Rheas, Emus, Cassowaries, Tinamous

These birds typically have lost the ability to fly, are large-bodied, and mostly found in the Southern Hemisphere and Africa, sometimes collectively called “ratites.”

OrderFamilyRepresentative GenusExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Struthioniformes (Ostriches)Struthionidae (Ostrich)Struthio (ostrich)Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus)Largest living bird, native to African savannas/deserts; cannot fly, runs at high speed.
Rheiformes (Rheas)Rheidae (Rheas)Rhea (rhea)Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)Found in South American grasslands; flightless, smaller than ostriches.
Casuariiformes (Emus, Cassowaries)Dromaiidae (Emu), Casuariidae (Cassowary)Dromaius (emu), Casuarius (cassowary)Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)Endemic to Australia/New Guinea; large, flightless, known for speed (emus) or powerful kicks (cassowaries).
Tinamiformes (Tinamous)* or included within PaleognathaeTinamidae (Tinamous)Tinamus, CrypturellusGreat Tinamou (Tinamus major), etc.Central & South America; can fly short distances but mostly ground-based. Considered “primitive” among ground birds.

Note: Some classifications treat Tinamous as a separate order (Tinamiformes), while others group them with ratites under Paleognathae, depending on molecular studies.

(B) Galliformes (“Gamefowl”)

Galliform birds are quintessential “land birds”: usually of medium size, with short, rounded wings for bursts of flight but spending most time on the ground.

FamilyRepresentative GeneraExample SpeciesDistribution & Notes
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Chickens, Partridges, Quail, etc.)Gallus (Junglefowl), Phasianus (True pheasants), Coturnix (Old World quail), etc.Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), etc.Very diverse, found across Eurasia, Africa, parts of the Americas. Many species are domesticated or important game birds.
Numididae (Guineafowl)Numida (Helmeted Guineafowl), etc.Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)Native to Africa, known for “pearl-like” spots on feathers, also domesticated in some regions.
Meleagrididae (Turkeys)Meleagris (turkeys)Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)Native to North America. Large ground birds, source of domestic turkey; males exhibit colorful wattles and tail fans.
Tetraonidae (Grouse, Ptarmigan)* sometimes included in PhasianidaeTetrao (Capercaillies), Lagopus (Ptarmigan)Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus), etc.Typically in cooler Northern Hemisphere regions or high mountains. Feathers can change seasonally for camouflage.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)Colinus (Bobwhites), Odontophorus (Wood Quail), etc.Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), etc.Found in the Americas, resembling Old World quail in body form and ground-based habits.

Note: Family boundaries within Galliformes vary; some sources merge grouse into Phasianidae.

(C) Other Common Ground-Dwelling Birds

Beyond the “ratites” and “gamefowl,” several other orders have predominantly ground-based families or genera. A few key examples:

  1. Otidiformes (Bustards)

    • Otididae (Bustards): e.g., Great Bustard (Otis tarda), African bustards; large, flight-capable but strongly ground-oriented birds in Eurasian and African grasslands.

  2. Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails, and Allies)

    • Rallidae (Rails, Coots): e.g., Common Coot, various rails. Primarily live in wetlands or marshy ground.

    • Gruidae (Cranes): Though cranes migrate via flight, they feed and nest on the ground in marshes or grasslands.

  3. Columbiformes (Pigeons, Doves)

    • Many species are strong fliers, but certain doves and ground-doves spend much time pecking seeds on the ground.

  4. Passeriformes (Perching Birds) partial ground-dwellers

    • Families such as Alaudidae (Larks) and some Motacillidae (Wagtails, Pipits) forage extensively on open ground, though they remain capable of sustained flight.

IV. Summary

  1. Multiple Origins and Convergent Adaptations

    • “Terrestrial birds” do not form a single evolutionary lineage; rather, multiple avian orders independently evolved ground-based lifestyles—strong legs, ground nesting, and foraging.

    • From large flightless ratites to ground-frequenting galliforms and bustards, they illustrate repeated occupation of terrestrial niches.

  2. Ecological and Human Importance

    • Many ground birds serve crucial functions in grassland or desert ecosystems, dispersing seeds, controlling insect populations, etc.

    • Humans have domesticated chickens, turkeys, guineafowl, and more. Hunting and wildlife tourism also focus on species like pheasants and bustards.

  3. Conservation Concerns

    • Habitat loss, agriculture expansion, and overhunting threaten many terrestrial bird populations (e.g., ostriches, cassowaries, great bustards).

    • Species with limited ranges or migratory needs require international collaboration and protected areas for survival.

Through the above classification and introduction, your website users can have a preliminary understanding of the diverse distribution and evolution of the ecological-morphological group "land birds" in the modern bird system. If you need to further understand the morphological characteristics, ecological habits and conservation status of each species, it is recommended to refer to professional ornithology, regional field manuals and the latest molecular systematics research.

Waterfowl Wading birds Climbing birds Landfowl Bird of prey Songbird
Streptopelia roseogrisea

Streptopelia roseogrisea

Streptopelia roseogrisea，African Collared-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Streptopelia roseogrisea, African Collared dove, a migratory bird that winters in northern Africa. The ringnecked turtle dove is a domesticated variant of the turtle dove that now has a New World wild population in California and Florida; Forage on the ground and eat lots of small seeds. Normal way...

Streptopelia capicola

Streptopelia capicola

Streptopelia capicola，Ring-necked Dove，Cape Turtle Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific names Streptopelia capicola, Ring-necked Dove, and Cape Turtle Dove are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibil...

Streptopelia decipiens

Streptopelia decipiens

Streptopelia decipiens，Mourning Collared-dove，African Mourning Dove，Mourning Collared Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name Streptopelia decipiens, Mourning Collared-dove, African Mourning Dove, Mourning Collared Dove, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balanc...

Streptopelia turtur

Streptopelia turtur

Streptopelia turtur，European Turtle-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It's a slightly smaller pink-brown turtle dove

The European turtledove (Streptopelia turtur) has four subspecies.The turtle dove is a summer migratory bird. Spring moves in March-April; Autumn moves in September-October. Often alone or in pairs, rarely in groups. They roost and move in the trees most of the day, only going down to the ground to...

Streptopelia decaocto

Streptopelia decaocto

Streptopelia decaocto，Collared Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：There is a half-moon black collar ring at the base of the back neck, and its front and back edges are off-white or white

The Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) has two subspecies.The grey turtle dove is a social species, mostly living in small groups or mixing with other turtle doves. In places where food is plentiful, such as cereals, sizable communities can form. The call of the turtle dove is "coo-goo"...

Columba cayennensis

Columba cayennensis

Columba cayennensis，Pale-vented Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species Columba cayennensis is also known as Pale-vented Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba caribaea

Columba caribaea

Columba caribaea，Ring-tailed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

It is known as Columba caribaea or Ring-tailed Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba nigrirostris

Columba nigrirostris

Columba nigrirostris，Short-billed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Short-billed Pigeon Columba nigrirostris (short-billed pigeon) is not known.Short-bill pigeons have a strong memory, a fixed feed, feeding management procedures, environmental conditions and signals to form a deep memory and solid conditioned reflex. If a small flag is hung on the top of the loft, o...

Columba oenops

Columba oenops

Columba oenops ，Peruvian Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Peruvian Pigeon Columba oenops, foreign name Peruvian Pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Columba araucana

Columba araucana

Columba araucana，Chilean Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The head, forehead, and nape are camel and black wine colors, with a narrow white neckline forming a half collar to separate the two colors of feathers

The Chilean Pigeon (Columba araucana) has no subspecies.Chilean pigeon partial migration. In response to the harsh winter weather in the South, the southern species move north to Santiago and occasionally to Antofagasta. They live alone or in small families during nesting, but form larger groups at...

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas plumbea

Patagioenas plumbea，Plumbeous Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Plumbeous Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea, Plumbeous Pigeon) is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba corensis

Columba corensis

Columba corensis，Bare-eyed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is also known as Columba corensis or Bare-eyed Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba inornata

Columba inornata

Columba inornata，Plain Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba inornata, Plain Pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba leucocephala

Columba leucocephala

Columba leucocephala，White-crowned Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The White Pigeon is Columba leucocephala, and the foreign name is White-crowned Pigeon, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining eco...

Columba picazuro

Columba picazuro

Columba picazuro，Picazuro Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The red-headed Pigeon is Columba picazuro and Picazuro Pigeon.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba flavirostris

Columba flavirostris

Columba flavirostris，Red-billed Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba flavirostris, or Red-billed Pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba speciosa

Columba speciosa

Columba speciosa，Scaled Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba speciosa, or Scaled Pigeon, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba squamosa

Columba squamosa

Columba squamosa，Scaly-naped Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

Columba squamosa and Scaly-naped Pigeon are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba fasciata

Columba fasciata

Columba fasciata

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species Columba fasciata is not known.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Columba maculosa

Columba maculosa

Columba maculosa，Spot-winged Pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：

The species is known as Columba maculosa and Spot-winged Pigeon. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsib...

Columba subvinacea

Columba subvinacea

Red pigeon, Canu pigeon, Karen pigeon,

Landfowl LC

Features：The Kanu pigeon is a medium-sized meat pigeon and is a famous pigeon in the world pigeon industry.

Columba subvinacea has a gentle temperament and strong breeding capacity, with an annual output of 8-l0 pairs of squabs and a high yield of more than 12 pairs. Its nest performance and brood performance are good, and the moulting period does not stop. Fast growth and development, feed province, like...

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