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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
Caloperdix oculea

Caloperdix oculea

Caloperdix oculea，Ferruginous Wood Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Caloperdix oculea, Ferruginous Wood Partridge, its specific habits are unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Chinese Bamboo Partridge

Chinese Bamboo Partridge，Bambusicola thoracica

Landfowl LC

Features：Upper dorsal gray-brown, with not very clear dark brown wormlike spots and chestnut red patches

Chinese Bamboo Partridge (scientific name: Bambusicola thoracica) has 2 subspecies.Grouse usually move in groups, consisting of a few to more than 20, with larger groups in winter and scattered activities during the breeding season. Each group has a fixed activity area, the feeding ground and habita...

Bambusicola fytchii

Bambusicola fytchii

Bambusicola fytchii，Mountain Bamboo-partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：Chin, throat and side of the neck tea yellow, chestnut-brown, two sides and abdomen with thick black spots

Mountain Bambusicola fytchii is a small chicken similar in size to Mountain Bambusicola Fytchii.Bamboo chickens usually live in small groups, consisting of a few to more than 20 individuals, with large groups in winter and scattered activities during the breeding season. Each group has a fixed activ...

Argusianus argus

Argusianus argus

Argusianus argus，Great Argus

Landfowl LC

Features：The lower end of the wing has a number of blue spots, like a pair of big eyes, hence the name, is the most beautiful bird in Southeast Asia

Tragopan (Argusianus argus) is known as the Great Argus and has two subspecies.The pheasant roosts in trees at night and rummags for food on the woodland floor during the day, spending most of its time alone, except during breeding when the females gather to watch the males display in the courtship...

Arborophila sumatrana

Arborophila sumatrana

Arborophila sumatrana

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Sumatran mountain partridge, known scientifically as Arborophila sumatrana, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series o...

Arborophila rubrirostris

Arborophila rubrirostris

Arborophila rubrirostris，Red-billed Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Scientific name Arborophila rubrirostris, foreign name Red-billed Hill Partridge, good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of...

Arborophila rolli

Arborophila rolli

Arborophila rolli，A partridge in Roche holster

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Arborophila rolli and its foreign name is A partridge in Roche holster. Its meat is rich in protein and fat, and contains 18 kinds of amino acids necessary for human body and high trace elements such as zinc and strontium. It has the effect of strengthening the Yang and kidney...

Arborophila orientalis

Arborophila orientalis

Arborophila orientalis，Gray-breasted Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Arborophila orientalis, Gray-breasted Hill Partridge, good at concealing. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls, repeated calls,...

Arborophila merlini

Arborophila merlini

Arborophila merlini，Vietnam Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Vietnamese mountain Partridge scientific name Arborophila merlini, foreign name Vietnam Hill Partridge, good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, of...

Arborophila javanica

Arborophila javanica

Arborophila javanica，Chestnut-bellied Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

The brown-bellied Arborophila javanica, Chestnut-bellied Hill Partridge, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls...

Arborophila hyperythra

Arborophila hyperythra

Arborophila hyperythra，Red-breasted Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Red-breasted Hill Partridge is known as Arborophila hyperythra and red-breasted Hill partridge. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series...

Arborophila davidi

Arborophila davidi

Arborophila davidi，Orange-necked Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Orange-necked Hill Partridge is known as Arborophila davidi and orange-necked hill partridge. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of...

Arborophila chloropus

Arborophila chloropus

Arborophila chloropus，Green-legged Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：The top of the head is olive brown to the back of the neck, the corners of the mouth are brown, the legs and feet are green

The Green-legged Partridge (Arborophila chloropus) has four subspecies.Partridges are usually found in pairs or in groups of 3-5 individuals. Temperament is extremely timid, often hiding under the forest, shrubland or grass, usually rarely take off, often in the underforest shrubland and grass activ...

Arborophila charltonii

Arborophila charltonii

Arborophila charltonii，Chestnut-breasted HillPartridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Arborophila charltonii, Chestnut breasted HillPartridge, is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every morning and evening, often issued a series of calls, repeated calls...

Arborophila campbelli

Arborophila campbelli

Arborophila campbelli，Malay Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：It has a distinctive black and white pattern

Malay Partridge (scientific name: Arborophila campbelli), no subspecies. This species is found in the plateau forests of Peninsular Malaysia. It was once known as a subspecies of the partridge.The Malay mountain partridge feeds mainly on the fruits of vines, termites (isoptera), and gastropods.Liste...

Arborophila cambodiana

Arborophila cambodiana

Arborophila cambodiana，Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Arborophila cambodiana and its foreign name is Chestnut-headed Hill Partridge.Arborophila arboriceps is good at hiding. They often live in pairs or groups, consisting of 4-12 individuals. Most of the activity is on the forest floor, and at night, it perches on branches. Every...

Anurophasis monorthonyx

Anurophasis monorthonyx

Anurophasis monorthonyx，Snow Mountain Quail

Landfowl LC

Features：There is a wide white crown between the eyes and the roof, and dense and finely broken black markings on the body

Snow partrail is known as Anurophasis monorthonyx and Snow Mountain Quail.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1 - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone'...

Ammoperdix heyi

Ammoperdix heyi

Ammoperdix heyi，Sand Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：It has a distinctive blue-gray head with wavy stripes of crimson, black and white feathers

Ammoperdix heyi, also known as Sand Partridge, has four subspecies.The partridge is stout, smaller than the pheasant, fast at running and hiding, rarely flying, and soon tired of flying. Found in deserts and rocky slopes. The song of the partridge has an elegant texture and often echoes in its rocky...

Ammoperdix griseogularis

Ammoperdix griseogularis

Ammoperdix griseogularis，See-see Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ammoperdix griseogularis and See-see Partridge. Usually living in pairs, seeds make up 80% of the bird's diet in summer, with other foods including greens, berries and insects. Considered monogamous, females usually breed in April, laying 5-7 eggs per litter, with nests embedded or hanging from...

Alectoris rufa

Alectoris rufa

Alectoris rufa，Red-legged Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：The irises are brown, the mouth is red, and the claws are red, with heavy markings

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) has three subspecies.Red-legged cockerels are active during the day, in the early morning and evening, and usually rest at their perch at noon. Sex likes to swarm, and small flocks of up to 20 birds are often seen wandering fields and pastures. Sometimes during...

Alectoris philbyi

Alectoris philbyi

Alectoris philbyi，Philby’s Partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：

The scientific name of the black-faced grouper is Alectoris philbyi, and the foreign name is Philby's Partridge. Action is very alert and careful, often run along the hillside or up the mountain in case of danger, never run down the mountain, running speed is extremely fast, but also good at hid...

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