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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
Perdicula manipurensis

Perdicula manipurensis

Perdicula manipurensis，Manipur Bush-quail

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Assamese Bush quail (Perdicula manipurensis) is known as Manipur Bush-quail and has two subspecies. Sing in a clear sound, similar to whistling, as the notes get higher and higher, running together.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Sp...

Perdicula erythrorhyncha

Perdicula erythrorhyncha

Perdicula erythrorhyncha，Painted Bush-quail

Landfowl LC

Features：

Perdicula erythrorhyncha, also known as Painted Bush-quail, has two subspecies.Red-billed tubs usually gather in groups of 6 to 10 individuals. Move around in open grass or in the grass beside forest roads and driving tracks, eating and sandbathing in the morning and evening. Groups quickly gather a...

Perdicula asiatica

Perdicula asiatica

Perdicula asiatica，Jungle Bush-quail

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Jungle Bush-quail (Perdicula asiatica) has five subspecies.Tubs usually gather in groups of 6-10 individuals. Move around in open grass or in the grass beside forest roads and driving tracks, eating and sandbathing in the morning and evening. Groups quickly gather around each other by calling an...

Perdicula argoondah

Perdicula argoondah

Perdicula argoondah，Rock Bush-quail

Landfowl LC

Features：The outermost primary feathers are longer than the innermost feathers, and the primary feathers have no spots inside

Rock Bush-quail (Perdicula argoondah) has three subspecies. Usually gathers in groups of 6-10 individuals. Move around in open grass or in the grass beside forest roads and driving tracks, eating and sandbathing in the morning and evening. Groups quickly gather around each other by calling and Shout...

Peliperdix schlegelii

Peliperdix schlegelii

Peliperdix schlegelii，Schlegel's Francolin

Landfowl LC

Features：The body feathers are mainly rusty orange or reddish-brown, and the crown is dark brown

The chestnut throat forest Partridge (scientific name: Peliperdix schlegelii) is Schlegel' s Francolin feeds on grass and grain seeds and, in Sudan, on caterpillars of the cockroach family, which live on the Isoberlinia doka, a legume tree. Monogamy, the breeding season in Sudan is September-Nov...

Francolinus lathami

Francolinus lathami

Francolinus lathami，Forest Francolin

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Forest partridge Francolinus lathami, which lives in pairs or small groups, is a wild bird that will not fly unless it is in danger, but if it feels in danger, most of the time, it prefers to run around rather than take a forceful flight. He usually crouches down and adopts a fixed posture. Rest...

Peliperdix coqui

Peliperdix coqui

Peliperdix coqui，Coqui Francolin

Landfowl LC

Features：

The partridge (Peliperdix coqui) is known as Coqui Francolin and has four subspecies.Living in pairs or in small groups, chestnut partridges are wild birds that do not fly unless they are in danger, but if they feel in danger, most of the time, prefer to run around rather than take a forceful flight...

Peliperdix albogularis

Peliperdix albogularis

Peliperdix albogularis，White-throated Francolin

Landfowl LC

Features：

The partridge (Peliperdix albogularis) is White-throated Francolin and has three subspecies.Living in pairs or in small groups, white-throated forest partridges are wild birds that do not fly unless they are in danger, but if they feel in danger, most of the time, prefer to run away from each other...

Pavo cristatus

Pavo cristatus

Pavo cristatus，Common Peafowl，Indian Peafowl，Peafowl

Landfowl LC

Features：The male has an erect occipital crown, ornate plumage, and a particularly extended tail covering

Blue peacock (Pavo cristatus) Common Peafowl, Indian Peafowl, Peafowl, no subspecies.In the wild or domestic, blue peacocks naturally select mates, that is, one male and multiple females (1:3-5), family-style activities, within a certain range of activities, collective feeding and roost, very few in...

Ophrysia superciliosa

Ophrysia superciliosa

Ophrysia superciliosa，Himalayan Quail

Landfowl LC

Features：The tail feathers are long, longer than other quails

The Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) is a medium sized pheasant bird with no subspecies.Himalayan quails were described in 1846 by John Edward Gray, based on live specimens taken by the Earl of Derby at Knowsley, who was suspicious of their discovery in India. They were not officially found i...

Meleagris ocellata

Meleagris ocellata

Meleagris ocellata，Ocellated Turkey

Landfowl LC

Features：The tail is covered by some eye-like spots named after it

The Ocellated Turkey (Ocellated Turkey) is one of two species of Turkey with no subspecies.The eye spotted Turkey is generally solitary, spending most of its time on the ground, and although its wings are large, its flight ability has been severely degraded, and it can only fly short distances. They...

Meleagris gallopavo

Meleagris gallopavo

Meleagris gallopavo，Turkey，Wild Turkey

Landfowl LC

Features：The head and neck are almost naked, only sparse feathers, and there is a red sarcoma down the throat

The Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is known as Turkey, Wild Turkey, and has six subspecies.Outside of the breeding season, males and females live separately, roosting in trees as high as possible. Meek and slow in action. When they are frightened, they quickly run to a hidden place, and they can fly 5...

Melanoperdix nigra

Melanoperdix nigra

Melanoperdix nigra，Black Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：Having a short, thick beak

Black quail (Melanoperdix nigra) is known as Black Partridge and has two subspecies.Black quails are omnivorous, and plants include: grains, seeds, roots, tubers, nuts, fruits, berries and leaves. Animals include: arthropods (orthoptera, trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera), mollusks, worms.The bre...

Margaroperdix madagarensis

Margaroperdix madagarensis

Margaroperdix madagarensis，Madagascar Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Margaroperdix madagarensis and its foreign name is Madagascar Partridge.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Lophura × imperialis

Lophura × imperialis

Lophura × imperialis

Landfowl LC

Features：

Lophura × imperialis, one of the world's rarest chickens, was discovered in the 1920s, but only a few individuals were found in Vietnam in the 1990s.Jean Theodore Delacour discovered a live specimen of a pair of golden Pheasants in 1923 and brought it to Europe. They were not discovered until 1...

Lophura rufa

Lophura rufa

Lophura rufa，Malay Crested Fireback

Landfowl LC

Features：It is favored for its facial decoration with impressive blue cheeks

Malay Crested Fireback (Lophura rufa), a single species without subspecies differentiation. The Malay Pheasant was once a subspecies of the Pheasant, but was classified as a separate species in 2014.Malay crested pheasants are often active alone or in pairs. It is most active in the early morning or...

Lophura pyronota

Lophura pyronota

Lophura pyronota，Bornean Crestless Fireback

Landfowl LC

Features：Has striking scarlet facial skin

Bornean Crestless Fireback (Lophura pyronota), a single species without subspecies differentiation. It was once a subspecies of Pheasant's Pheasant, but was classified as a separate species in 2014.Bornean pheasants are often found alone or in pairs. It is most active in the early morning or eve...

Lophura inornata

Lophura inornata

Lophura inornata，Salvadori’s Pheasant

Landfowl LC

Features：

Lophura inornata (Salvadori's Pheasant), usually in small groups of three to six individuals, either alone or in pairs. In winter, there are sometimes as many as 16-17 clusters. Especially in the early morning or evening the most active, poor activity at noon, night more perches in trees. Activi...

Lophura ignita

Lophura ignita

Lophura ignita

Landfowl LC

Features：

Lophura ignita is a medium pheasant measuring 70cm in length. The pheasant's pheasant mainly eats plants, fruits, and small animals. The female will lay four to eight eggs at a time, which are milky white.Due to continued habitat loss and excessive hunting, the Pheasant's pheasant has been l...

Lophura erythrophthalma

Lophura erythrophthalma

Lophura erythrophthalma

Landfowl LC

Features：

Lophura erythrophthalma, often alone or in pairs or in small groups of 3-6 individuals. In winter, there are sometimes as many as 16-17 clusters. Especially in the early morning or evening the most active, poor activity at noon, night more perches in trees. Activities often strut, act alert, run qui...

Lophura edwardsi

Lophura edwardsi

Lophura edwardsi，Edwards's Pheasant

Landfowl LC

Features：The rooster has a towering white crest and black, blue-shimmering plumage

Lophura edwardsi Edwards' s Pheasant, there are 2 subspecies.Lopheus is a mysterious bird that has rarely been observed in the wild, so little has been documented about its biology and ecology, including details of its diet. Mating and nesting behaviors have not been observed in the wild, only i...

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