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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
Centrocercus minimus

Centrocercus minimus

Centrocercus minimus，Gunnison Grouse

Landfowl LC

Features：The lesser sage grouse is about 2/3 the size of the sage grouse and has different coloration and a unique mating ritual

The Lesser sage Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is Gunnison Grouse, no subspecies.The little sage grouse does not fly much except up and down trees. Because of his clumsiness, he fluttered violently when he first took off. When flying, the rise speed is slow, and after reaching a certain height, the w...

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed Grouse，Bonasa umbellus

Landfowl LC

Features：The male bird has a short crest on its head and a square tail, which has a broad black band toward the tip, fanned out

The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) has 15 subspecies.Shawl hazel chicken is a non-migratory bird, is a forest bird, the breeding season is not in groups, other seasons more into small groups of activities, there are 3-4 or 6-7 a group, there are more than 10. Foraging begins at dawn. When looking f...

Tetrao mlokosiewiczi

Tetrao mlokosiewiczi

Tetrao mlokosiewiczi

Landfowl LC

Features：Short round wings, not good at flying, strong feet, sharp claws

Tetrao mlokosiewiczi, the Caucasian black lyric chicken, is active in the morning and evening in large forest clearings, forest edges and sunny grass or shrubs, and in the rest of the forest by falling trees, shrubs or grass clearings. It mainly roosts in larch trees at night. In winter, they often...

Lagopus leucurus

Lagopus leucurus

Lagopus leucurus，White-tailed Ptarmigan

Landfowl LC

Features：In summer, the feathers are mottled, and in winter, both sexes are white

The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus) has five subspecies.The winter white-tailed thunderbird lives in tundra, tundra scrub forests and rocky meadow areas near the North Pole and is very hardy. Like to be active in the woods, sometimes also to the farmland. Most of them move in groups except...

Dendragapus canadensis

Dendragapus canadensis

Dendragapus canadensis，Spruce Grouse

Landfowl LC

Features：Male and female feather color is very different, male body size is also large, nostrils and feet have feathers, to adapt to the cold

The Fir-tree chicken (Dendragapus canadensis), also known as Spruce Grouse, has six subspecies.Fir-tree chicken activity peaks in the early morning and late evening, pecking at grass. In the summer, this solitary activity on the ground, in the winter may gather in small groups of up to 30 individual...

Dendragapus obscurus

Dendragapus obscurus

Dendragapus obscurus，Dusky Grouse

Landfowl LC

Features：North America is the second largest grouse

The blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), also known as Dusky Grouse, is a relatively large grouse with four subspecies.Blue grouse tend to form smaller groups in the warmer months and larger groups in the winter, spending most of their time at the top of trees feeding on needles or pine seeds. In sum...

Dendragapus fuliginosus

Dendragapus fuliginosus

Dendragapus fuliginosus，Sooty Grouse

Landfowl LC

Features：The plumage is dark, mainly dark gray, stone gray, and brown, with a yellow throat sac

The Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosu) is a relatively large grouse with four subspecies.The black grouse is an early adult. These birds live on the ground or in the trees in winter. In winter, it eats mainly the needles of fir and Douglas fir, but occasionally hemlock and pine needles; In the su...

Ortalis wagleri

Ortalis wagleri

Ortalis wagleri，Rufous-bellied Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis wagleri, Rufous bellied Chachalaca, eats banana fruits, coffee berries and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: No Threat (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is...

Ortalis vetula

Ortalis vetula

Ortalis vetula，Plain Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula, eats banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) for 2020 ver 3.1 - Not Threatened (LC).Listed in Appendices I, II and III of the...

Ortalis superciliaris

Ortalis superciliaris

Ortalis superciliaris，Buff-browed Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis superciliaris, or Buff-browed Chachalaca, feeds mainly on banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Protection Level: No Threat (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecol...

Ortalis squamata

Ortalis squamata

Ortalis squamata，Scaled Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Scaled Chachalaca (Ortalis squamata), no subspecies.Like other pheasants of the same genus, the scaly Crested pheasant eats more leaves than fruit and occasionally pecks at insects. There will be loud and repeated beeps and alarm sounds. Generally in small, monogamous groups, breeding is most likely...

Ortalis ruficauda

Ortalis ruficauda

Ortalis ruficauda，Rufous-vented Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：It has curly crown feathers, hence its name

The juvenile Crested pheasant (Ortalis ruficauda) is Rufous-vented Chachalaca and has two subspecies.Juvenile Crested Pheasant colonies were composed of families. They walk on branches in search of fruit and seeds. You can fly vertically, but you can't fly long distances. A bird's nest is ma...

Ortalis poliocephala

Ortalis poliocephala

Ortalis poliocephala，West Mexican Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis poliocephala, also known as West Mexican Chachalaca, eats banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ortalis motmot

Ortalis motmot

Ortalis motmot，White-bellied Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis motmot, or White-bellied Chachalaca, feeds mainly on banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ortalis leucogastra

Ortalis leucogastra

Ortalis leucogastra，White-bellied Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis leucogastra, or White-bellied Chachalaca, feeds mainly on banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ortalis guttata

Ortalis guttata

Ortalis guttata，Speckled Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pheasant Ortalis guttata, or Speckled Chachalaca, feeds mainly on bananas, coffee berries and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Ortalis garrula

Ortalis garrula

Ortalis garrula，Cheatnut-winged Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis garrula (scientific name Ortalis garrula) and Cheatnut-winged Chachalaca (foreign name Cheatnut-winged Chachalaca) feed primarily on banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally peck at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is ever...

Ortalis erythroptera

Ortalis erythroptera

Ortalis erythroptera，Rufous-headed Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：It has a reddish-brown head

Brown crested pheasant (Ortalis erythroptera) Rufous-headed Chachalaca, no subspecies.The brown crested pheasant lives in tropical forests and usually plays an important role as a seed disperser. It feeds mainly on banana fruit, coffee berries and tree leaves. Like the pheasants of the same genus, t...

Ortalis columbiana

Ortalis columbiana

Ortalis columbiana，Colombian Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：The legs are black with slightly larger pinnacles

The Colombian crested pheasant (Ortalis columbiana) has no subspecies Colombian Chachalaca.The Colombian Crested pheasant mainly eats fruits and leaves, and its diet consists of 26 plant species. Like the crested pheasants of the same genus, the diet consists of more leaves than fruit, and occasiona...

Ortalis cinereiceps

Ortalis cinereiceps

Ortalis cinereiceps，Grey-headed Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

The crested pheasant is called Ortalis cinereiceps in Latin and Grey-headed Chachalaca in English.Crested pheasants usually play an important role as seed dispersers. It feeds mainly on banana fruit, coffee berries and tree leaves. Leaves make up a larger proportion of the diet than fruit, and they...

Ortalis canicollis

Ortalis canicollis

Ortalis canicollis，Chaco Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ortalis canicollis, or Chaco Chachalaca, feeds mainly on banana fruits, coffee berries, and leaves, and occasionally pecks at insects.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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