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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
Ortalis araucuan

Ortalis araucuan

Ortalis araucuan，East Brazilian Chachalaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

Eastern Brazilian Chachalaca (Ortalis araucuan), no subspecies.The Brazilian crested pheasant 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, the diet consists more of leaves than fruit, and o...

Horned Guan

Horned Guan

Horned Guan，Oreophasis derbianus

Landfowl LC

Features：The forehead has a 6cm high trumpet shaped red crown, which is extremely distinctive

Some experts believe that the Horned Crested pheasant (Oreophasis derbianus) should be placed in a separate family, as there appear to be too many differences between it and the Crested pheasant family to be one of the species entirely belonging to this family.The pheasant mainly ate fruit (83±3%)...

Highland Guan

Highland Guan

Highland Guan，Penelopina nigra

Landfowl LC

Features：The whole plumage of the male is black, the whole plumage of the male is black

Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra), no subspecies.Crested pheasants spend a lot of time in trees, feeding on berries and fruits, and sometimes descend to the ground to catch and eat animals, including lizards and mice. They usually occur alone and in pairs or in small groups of 3-4 individuals. The ca...

Penelope superciliaris

Penelope superciliaris

Penelope superciliaris，Rusty-margined Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Penelope superciliaris, and its foreign name is Rusty-margined Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will l...

Penelope purpurascens

Penelope purpurascens

Penelope purpurascens，Crested Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

Penelope purpurascens, Crested Guan, likes to live in groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will lay two to three eggs at a time...

Penelope pileata

Penelope pileata

Penelope pileata，White-crested Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pheasant's scientific name is Penelope pileata, and its foreign name is White-crested Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The femal...

Penelope perspicax

Penelope perspicax

Penelope perspicax，Cauca Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The crested pheasant's scientific name is Penelope perspicax, and its foreign name is Cauca Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The fem...

baudo guan

baudo guan

baudo guan，Penelope ortoni

Landfowl LC

Features：

Ancient bronze crested pheasant scientific name Penelope ortoni, foreign name baudo guan, like to live in groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and lea...

Penelope ochrogaster

Penelope ochrogaster

Penelope ochrogaster，Chestnut-bellied Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Penelope ochrogaster, and its foreign name is chestney-bellied Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will l...

Penelope obscura

Penelope obscura

Penelope obscura，Dusky-legged Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The black-legged crested pheasant is known as Penelope obscura or Dusky-legged Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will lay two...

Penelope montagnii

Penelope montagnii

Penelope montagnii，Andean Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Andean crested pheasant is known by its scientific name Penelope montagnii and foreign name Andean Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves....

Marail Guan

Marail Guan

Marail Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The green-backed crested pheasant (Penelopemarais), also known as Marail Guan, likes to live in large groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves....

White-browed Guan

White-browed Guan

White-browed Guan，Penelope jacucaca

Landfowl LC

Features：

It is also known as White-browed Guan or Penelope jacucaca. Likes to live in groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will lay two...

Penelope jacquacu

Penelope jacquacu

Penelope jacquacu，Spix's Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：It is mainly dark gray, with blue-gray skin and a red dewlap on the throat

Spix crested pheasant (scientific name: Penelope jacquacu) There are 4 subspecies of S. Guan.Spex Crested pheasants like to live in groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. It feeds mainly on the fruits of the uppe...

Penelope dabbenei

Penelope dabbenei

Penelope dabbenei，Red-faced Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Red-faced crested pheasant (Penelope dabbenei) is a gregarious pheasant. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The female will lay two to three...

Penelope barbata

Penelope barbata

Penelope barbata，Bearded Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Bearded pheasant, whose scientific name is Penelope barbata, Bearded Guan, lives in large groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The fem...

Penelope argyrotis

Penelope argyrotis

Penelope argyrotis，Band-tailed Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pheasant's scientific name is Penelope argyrotis, and its foreign name is Band-tailed Guan. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to eat. A bird's nest is built on a tree or stump with branches and leaves. The femal...

Penelope albipennis

Penelope albipennis

Penelope albipennis

Landfowl LC

Features：The plumage is dark brown with white primary feathers

The white-winged crested pheasant (Penelope albipennis), also known as the white-winged officer bird, is a type of crested pheasant.White-winged crested pheasants like to live in groups. Most of the time they live in pairs or in groups of 6-12. They walk on branches, looking for fruits and leaves to...

Chamaepetes unicolor

Chamaepetes unicolor

Chamaepetes unicolor，Black Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：The whole body feathers are black, the iris is red, and the legs are red

The pheasant's scientific name is Chamaepetes unicolor and its foreign name is Black Guan.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 bala...

Sickle-winged Guan

Sickle-winged Guan

Sickle-winged Guan，Chamaepetes goudotii

Landfowl LC

Features：The upper body plumage is dark blue, the lower body dark brown

Chamaepetes goudotii and Sickle-winged Guan are unknown.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Species ver 3.1: Not Threatened (LC).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Aburria aburri

Aburria aburri

Aburria aburri，Wattled Guan

Landfowl LC

Features：Under the neck there is a long and bright red and yellow pendant that resembles a breastpiece

Its scientific name is Aburria aburri, its foreign name is Wattled Guan, and its specific habit is unknown.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 e...

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