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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.

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Scleroptila elgonensis

Scleroptila elgonensis

Scleroptila elgonensis,Elgon Francolin

Features:Underbody chestnut color, full of fine spots and black stripes

The Partridge Elgon Francolin (Scleroptila elgonensis) has no subspecies.Elgon ring-necked partridges are usually grouped in pairs or family groups. Are particularly timid and cautious birds. If it sees a dangerous situation, it will quickly run into the low grass and only come out when the intruder...

Scleroptila afra

Scleroptila afra

Scleroptila afra,Grey-winged Francolin

Features:

The gray-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra) has no subspecies.The Partridge is mainly active in the early morning and late afternoon. It feeds on bulbs and roots, especially those of lycoris, sedges and irises, as well as a small number of plant leaves and seeds, insects and invertebrates.Listed on...

Rollulus roulroul

Rollulus roulroul

Rollulus roulroul,Crested Partridge,Perdiz Rulrul

Features:The whole is bluish-purple with a glossy color, and the head has a cluster of gorgeous bright red feathers

The coronal Partridge (scientific name: Rollulus rouloul) Crested Partridge in English, Perdiz Rulrul in Spanish, no subspecies.Coronal partridges tend to live alone or in pairs, sometimes in small groups of up to 15 individuals. Prefers to live in dry areas, descending to the valleys in the early m...

Rhizothera dulitensis

Rhizothera dulitensis

Rhizothera dulitensis,Dulit Partridge

Features:

Dulit Partridge, Rhizothera dulitensis, was once a subspecies of partridge. Specific habits are unknown.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1 - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecologica...

Rhizothera longirostris

Rhizothera longirostris

Rhizothera longirostris,Long-billed Wood Partridge

Features:

Rhizothera longirostris, or Long-billed Wood Partridge, is seriously threatened by habitat degradation and hunting, and an important conservation priority is rediscovery. Birdlife International believes it may have been in rapid decline due to habitat destruction and degradation, and that its taxono...

Rheinardia ocellata

Rheinardia ocellata

Rheinardia ocellata,Crested Argus

Features:It is a large pheasant with a long tail and an upright crest on its head

The Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata) has two subspecies.The crested pheasant usually moves alone in its territory. They only come together during the breeding season. The species is polygamous in the wild, with males performing elaborate courtship rituals during the mating season, calling and dan...

Ptilopachus petrosus

Ptilopachus petrosus

Ptilopachus petrosus

Features:The body feathers are mainly chocolate brown with sparse cream-gray spots

Ptilopachus petrosus usually lives in pairs or small groups of up to four quails and feeds on grass and herb seeds, green leaves, fruits and buds, and some insects.In captivity they are monogamous, but in the wild they are mostly monogamous. The eggs are pale pink, faded to cream, and the whole of t...

Ptilopachus nahani

Ptilopachus nahani

Ptilopachus nahani,Nahan's Partridge

Features:Probably the only African quail in the New World.

Ptilopachus nahani, foreign name Nahan' s Partridge is a traditional bird in the pheasant family. As its other name suggests, it was previously considered a partridge (Francolin) and placed in the genus Francolinus or Pternistis, but it was eventually determined that its closest relative was the...

Pternistis swierstrai

Pternistis swierstrai

Pternistis swierstrai,Swierstra's Francolin

Features:The male bird is black and white with a broad black chest band with black spots

Swierstra (scientific name: Pternistis swierstrai) foreign name Swierstra' s Francolin, no subspecies.The partridge is usually solitary. Look for grass seeds, bean seeds and insects among the forest leaves. When encountering danger, he prefers running to escape danger rather than flying. The bre...

Swainson's Francolin

Swainson's Francolin

Swainson's Francolin,Pternistis swainsonii

Features:Has a distinctive scarlet throat and bare facial skin red

The colored partridge (scientific name: Pternistis swainsonii) foreign name Swainson' s Francolin, there are 2 subspecies.The partridge is usually solitary. It feeds on plant bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berries and shoots, as well as spiders and insects, including locusts, ticks, beetles, termites a...

Scaly Francolin

Scaly Francolin

Scaly Francolin,Pternistis squamatus

Features:It's a species with fairly dark plumage

The Partridge squamatus (Pternistis squamatus) has six subspecies, Scaly Francolin.Partridges are usually solitary. Feed on bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berries and shoots of plants, including sweet potatoes and peanuts. They also eat small mollusks, termites, ants and other insects. When in danger, he p...

Grey-breasted Francolin

Grey-breasted Francolin

Grey-breasted Francolin,Pternistis rufopictus

Features:Forehead and crown brown, nape and wings dark brown neck and thorax gray

The Grey-breasted Francolin (Pternistis rufopictus) has no subspecies.The partridge is usually solitary, becoming active only in the early morning and late afternoon. It mainly feeds on the tubers of the sedge genus (Sedge family), but also eats small mollusks, termites, ants, and other insects. Whe...

Djibouti Francolin

Djibouti Francolin

Djibouti Francolin

Features:The adult bird is grayish-brown in color with white stripes that taper toward the head

Pternistis ochropectus (Pternistis ochropectus) foreign name Djibouti Francolin, no subspecies.The partridge moves into more open woodland and scrubland after the breeding season. When in danger, he prefers running to escape danger rather than flying. It feeds on plant bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berrie...

Handsome Francolin

Handsome Francolin

Handsome Francolin,Pternistis nobilis

Features:It has distinctive white stripes and swirly feathers

Colorful partridge (scientific name: Pternistis nobilis) foreign name Handsome Francolin, no subspecies.Colourful partridges usually live alone. It feeds on plant bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berries and shoots, as well as small mollusks, termites, ants and other insects. When in danger, he prefers runni...

Pternistis natalensis

Pternistis natalensis

Pternistis natalensis,Natal Francolin

Features:The body has dense white undercoat and black fine lines, and brown wings

Natal Francolin (Pternistis natalensis) has two subspecies.The Natal colored partridge likes to be alone. It feeds on plant bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berries, shoots including grains, but also small mollusks, beetles, termites, grasshoppers and other insects. When in danger, he prefers running to esca...

Pternistis leucoscepus

Pternistis leucoscepus

Pternistis leucoscepus,Yellow-necked Francolin

Features:Orange-red exposed skin around the eyes and yellow skin on the throat

Yellow-necked Francolin (Pternistis leucoscepus), no subspecies.Sedge tubers were the main food, especially sedge plants, and the amount was more than 50%. They also eat small mollusks, termites, ants and other insects. When in danger, he prefers running to escape danger rather than flying. The bree...

Jackson's Francolin

Jackson's Francolin

Jackson's Francolin,Pternistis jacksoni

Features:

Kenya colored partridge (scientific name: Pternistis jacksoni) foreign name Jackson' s Francolin, no subspecies.Kenyan colored partridges like to sing from the edge of boulders or cliffs in their territory. Usually alone. Feeds on plant bulbs and grass buds, berries, small snails and insects. Wh...

Pternistis icterorhynchus

Pternistis icterorhynchus

Pternistis icterorhynchus,Heuglin's Francolin

Features:The forehead has black striped feathers, with broad white brow lines and radiating spots below the neck

Yellow beak colored partridge (scientific name: Pternistis icterorhynchus) foreign name Heuglin' s Francolin, no subspecies.The yellow-billed partridge likes to sing from the edge of a boulder or cliff in its territory. Usually alone. It feeds on plant bulbs and bulbs, seeds, berries and shoots,...

francolinus hildebrandti

francolinus hildebrandti

francolinus hildebrandti,Hildebrandt's Francolin

Features:The throat, neck, and lower body are white, with mostly black markings, most visible on the chest and abdomen

francolinushildebrandti (scientific name: Francolinus Hildebrandti) foreign name Hildebrandt' S. Francolin, there are 3 subspecies.The partridge mainly lives between 2000 and 2500 m above sea level, but can drop to 650 m locally. They usually live in pairs, but sometimes in small family groups....

Pternistis harwoodi

Pternistis harwoodi

Pternistis harwoodi,Harwood's Francolin

Features:The crown is brown, the upper jaw is black, but the tip and base are red

Hai's colored partridge (scientific name: Pternistis harwoodi) foreign name Harwood' s Francolin, no subspecies.The partridge usually searches the river banks for a variety of dense vegetation, but can easily enter nearby farmland in the early morning hours. Once these birds emerge from thei...

Pternistis hartlaubi

Pternistis hartlaubi

Pternistis hartlaubi,Hartlaub's Francolin

Features:The upper body of the male is mottled light brown/brown, while the lower body of the female is cinnamon (not white) without stripes

Hartlaub (scientific name: Pternistis hartlaubi) foreign name Hartlaub' s Francolin, no subspecies.The partridge is often found in relatively dense areas of grass and brush. Occurs in pairs or in family groups of 3-4 individuals, unless chirping, usually hidden among boulders. It feeds on plant...