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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
Talegalla fuscirostris

Talegalla fuscirostris

Talegalla fuscirostris，Black-billed Brush-turkey

Landfowl LC

Features：The body is dark gray, navy blue or black, with a black beak and yellow legs and feet

Talegalla fuscirostris (Black-billed Brush-turkey) has four subspecies.The black-billed camp Megacanth acts alone and in pairs. Omnivorous, eating small invertebrates and a wide variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, but can perch in small trees and fly short distances, not long d...

Talegalla cuvieri

Talegalla cuvieri

Talegalla cuvieri，Red-billed Brush-turkey

Landfowl LC

Features：It has a red, iron-gray, and black beak, with pale orange legs and feet

Talegalla cuvieri (Red billed Brush-turkey) has two subspecies.Red billed Camp Pheasants act alone and in pairs. Omnivorous, eating small invertebrates and a wide variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, but can perch in small trees and fly short distances, not long distances.They d...

Megapodius reinwardt

Megapodius reinwardt

Orange-footed Scrub Fowl，Megapodius reinwardt

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pheasant is known as the Megapodius reinwardt or Orange-footed Fowl; its specific habitat is unknown.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Tongan Scrubfowl

Tongan Scrubfowl

Megapodius pritchardii，Tongan Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：

The Tongan Scrubfowl (Megapodius pritchardii) is an omnivorous bird that eats a variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, but can perch in small trees and fly short distances, not long distances. Good long race, fast speed is difficult to catch up. Like other megapods, they use tempe...

Megapodius nicobariensis

Megapodius nicobariensis

Megapodius nicobariensis，Nicobar Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：It is the most westerly of the 19 megapods

The Nicobar Scrubfowl (Megapodius nicobariensis) is a large and medium-sized bird with two subspecies.Nicobar megapods are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, but can perch in small trees and fly short distances, not long distances. Good long race, fas...

Megapodius layardi

Megapodius layardi

Megapodius layardi，Vanuatu Scrub Fowl

Landfowl LC

Features：

Vanuatu Scrub Fowl is a genus of Megapodius layardi and Vanuatu scrub fowl. Relying on the sun's energy on the beach to hatch the eggs.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Megapodius laperouse

Megapodius laperouse

Megapodius laperouse，Micronesian Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：It is the only species of Megapod that uses volcanic heat to hatch its eggs

The Micronesian Scrubfowl (Megapodius laperouse) is a large and medium-sized bird with two subspecies.Micronesian megapods are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, but can perch in small trees and fly short distances, not long distances. Good long race,...

Megapodius geelvinkianus

Megapodius geelvinkianus

Megapodius geelvinkianus，Biak Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：The feathers are mostly dark gray, with a slight crest

Biak Scrubfowl (Megapodius geelvinkianus).The diet of the megacan is mainly plant flowers, seeds, fruits, etc. The megapod has created a complete brooding system without having to incubate its own eggs directly. Laying eggs near a very hot volcano or uncooled lava; Some go to the beach to incubate t...

Megapodius freycinet

Megapodius freycinet

Megapodius freycinet，Dusky Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：

The common Megapodius freycinet, also known as Dusky Scrubfowl, is a species of megapod fowl in the family Megapodius.Common megapods eat mainly plant flowers, seeds, fruits, etc., but also invertebrates (reported to have snails and beetles in their stomachs). The breeding season is February-March o...

Megapodius eremita

Megapodius eremita

Megapodius eremita，Melanesian Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：

Melanesian Scrubfowl (Megapodius eremita).The diet of Melanesian megapods is mainly plant flowers, seeds, fruits, etc. The megapod has created a complete brooding system without having to incubate its own eggs directly. Laying eggs near a very hot volcano or uncooled lava; Some go to the beach to in...

Megapodius decollatus

Megapodius decollatus

Megapodius decollatus，New Guinea Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：

New Guinea Scrubfowl (Megapodius decollatus).The diet of New Guinea megapods is mainly plant flowers, seeds, fruits, etc. The megapod has created a complete brooding system without having to incubate its own eggs directly. Laying eggs near a very hot volcano or uncooled lava; Some go to the beach to...

Sula Scrubfowl

Sula Scrubfowl

Sula Scrubfowl，Megapodius bernsteinii

Landfowl LC

Features：A large terrestrial bird endemic to Indonesia

The Sula Scrubfowl (Megapodius bernsteinii) is a large terrestrial bird endemic to Indonesia.It is active at night, mainly at dawn and dusk. Temperament is withdrawn, often alone activity, even in breeding season is rarely paired activity. Weak in flight, but very good at running. Likes to make loud...

Macrocephalon maleo

Macrocephalon maleo

Macrocephalon maleo，Maleo

Landfowl LC

Features：A large black and white bird with a prominent medium-length tail

Macrocephalon maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) is the only species of the genus Maleo with no subspecies differentiation. This is a timid and shy bird. Active at dawn and dusk, the temperament is withdrawn, often active alone, and rarely active in pairs even during the breeding season. Weak in flight, bu...

Malleefowl

Malleefowl

Malleefowl，Leipoa ocellata

Landfowl LC

Features：The foreign name "megapodes" means "big feet"

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), no subspecies.The pheasant is very timid and cautious, and will run away or hide in a tree when in danger. Although they are active, they are immediately stationary when disturbed, using their body's ability to camouflage to avoid. They also have a variety of ways t...

Eulipoa wallacei

Eulipoa wallacei

Eulipoa wallacei，Moluccan Scrub Hen

Landfowl LC

Features：

The pheasant is known as Eulipoa wallacei or Moluccan Scrub Hen.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Australian Brush-turkey

Australian Brush-turkey

Australian Brush-turkey，Alectura lathami

Landfowl LC

Features：Thin neck, bare skin, bright color

The Australian Brush-turkey pheasant (Alectura lathami) has two subspecies.The pheasant is omnivorous and apparently prefers plant foods, subsisting on seeds, grains, buds and roots.The tragopan raises its young in a special way. Instead of the female bird hatching the eggs, the father builds a huge...

Aepypodius bruijnii

Aepypodius bruijnii

Bruijn’s Brush Turkey，Aepypodius bruijnii

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Aepypodius bruijnii, and its foreign name is Bruijn's Brush Turkey. It has a special nesting habit. It does not incubate its own eggs, but lays its eggs in the accumulation of humus, sand and volcanic ash, which is incubated by natural heat.Protect wild animals and elimina...

Aepypodius arfakianus

Aepypodius arfakianus

Aepypodius arfakianus，Wattled Brush-turkey

Landfowl LC

Features：The eggs are incubated by natural heat

Wattled Brush-turkey (Aepypodius arfakianus) has a special nesting habit. It does not incubate its own eggs, but lays them in humus deposits, sand and volcanic ash, and incubates them by natural heat.Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016 Red List of Threatened Spec...

Struthio camelus

Struthio camelus

ostrich、Struthio camelus

Landfowl LC

Features：The world's largest bird, it cannot fly and is the only two-toed bird in the world.

The largest bird on earth is the African ostrich, which is also a flightless bird. In biological classification, it is the only species of the family Struthionidae. The African ostrich is about 183-300 cm long, 240-280 cm tall, and weighs 130-150 kg. The female bird is slightly smaller. The snake-li...

Pavo cristatus

Pavo cristatus

Pavo cristatus

Landfowl LC

Features：The whole body is pure white without any other colors, and it is a variant of the blue peacock.

The scientific name of the white peacock is Pavo cristatus. It generally refers to a variant of the wild blue peacock bred under artificial breeding. It is rare and is an extremely precious ornamental bird. However, after artificial domestication, it has reached a state of self-sustaining population...

Goura victoria

Goura victoria

Victoria Crowned Pigeon，Goura victoria，Victoria Crowned-pigeon

Landfowl LC

Features：The largest pigeon in the world

Victoria Crowned Pigeon (scientific name: Goura victoria) is also known as Victoria Crowned-pigeon in English. Male and female are the same color. It has the most gorgeous and beautiful crest among birds. It is also the most colorful and beautiful pigeon. It is the largest member of the domestic pig...

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