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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
Arborophila gingica

Arborophila gingica

Arborophila gingica,White-browed Hill Partridge ,Rickett's Hill Partridge,White-browed partridge, pheasant, Hsinchu Chicken

Landfowl LC

Features：Endemic to southeast China having white brow stripes

There are two subspecies of White-browed Hill Partridge.The white-fronted arboridge lives in trees at night. hu-u-u, a long, plaintive two-tone whistle. Frightened after flying fast, but the flight distance is not large, fly not far that fall into the underbrush or grass.Arborophila mainly feeds on...

Arborophila rufogularis

Arborophila rufogularis

Arborophila rufogularis

Landfowl LC

Features：The beautiful spirit birds of Gaoligong Mountain

Rufous-throated Hill Partridge has six subspecies.The red-throated arboridge is a resident bird. Like clusters, often form small groups of 4-12 animals. Temperament is more bold, not afraid of people, generally in the underbrush and grass activities. He is good at running quickly on the ground, prow...

Arborophila rufipectus

Arborophila rufipectus

Arborophila rufipectus,Sichuan Partridge,Bamboo shoot chicken, bamboo shoot chicken, and Tuo Tuo chicken

Landfowl LC

Features：It is a medium-sized, brightly colored mountain partridge.

Sichuan Partridge, also known as Sichuan Partridge in English, has no subspecies and is a rare and endemic pheasant native to southwest China. Sichuan Mountain Quail often moves alone or in small groups of 5-6. It is alert and good at hiding. It runs fast on the ground. When...

Arborophila torqueola

Arborophila torqueola

Arborophila torqueola

Landfowl LC

Features：There is a white horizontal band between the front neck and the chest that separates the neck and chest, hence the name.

Hill Partridge, there are 5 subspecies.Hill Partridge is a resident bird. They often move in pairs or small groups of 3-5 or family groups. They are alert and good at hiding. They run fast on the ground. When frightened, they often run to escape from enemies. They only take off when they are in dang...

Pavo muticus

Pavo muticus

Green peacock, Java peacock, Vietnamese bird, dragon bird, green peafowl

Landfowl LC

Features：The peacock is the largest pheasant bird, and the largest male peacock is one of the largest flying birds in existence.

The green peacock is a large chicken. The male has emerald blue-green feathers, a cluster of upright crest feathers on the head, and emerald green lower back with a coppery luster. Behind the body is a tail covert that is more than 1 meter long, with shiny and gorgeous eye-shaped spots on the feathe...

Phasianus colchicus

Phasianus colchicus

Ring-necked Pheasant，Common Pheasant，Pheasant

Landfowl LC

Features：Pheasants have the advantages of beautiful appearance, firm and tender chicken, delicious taste and rich nutrition, fast growth rate and strong disease resistance.

Pheasants are a kind of walking bird in the Phasianidae family of the class Aves, with a total of 30 subspecies. They are slightly smaller than domestic chickens, but their tails are much longer. The male and female birds have different feather colors. The male bird has gorgeous feathers with many m...

Coturnix japonica

Coturnix japonica

Quail, Japanese quail

Landfowl LC

Features：Birds are naturally timid and do not like to interact in groups.

Quail is a small, round, gray-brown quail. The upper body has brown and black horizontal stripes and long yellow spear-shaped stripes. The lower body is yellow, with black stripes on the chest and flanks. The head has stripes and long eyebrows that are almost white. The iris is reddish brown, the co...

Dromaius novaehollandiae

Dromaius novaehollandiae

Emu,Dromaius ater, Dromaius novaehollandiae rothschild,Australian ostrich, Ostrich australis,cassowary

Landfowl LC

Features：Fossil period: Miocene to present, the second largest bird in the world

Emu (scientific name: Dromaius novaehollandiae, pronounced the same as "ermiao"), also known as Australian ostrich, Australian ostrich, is the only species of the genus Emu. The fossil period is from the Miocene to the present. It is the second large...

Bambusicola sonorivox

Bambusicola sonorivox

Bambusicola sonorivox，Taiwan bamboo partridge

Landfowl LC

Features：Social

Taiwan bamboo partridge, also known as red-footed bamboo partridge (English: Taiwan bamboo partridge, scientific name: Bambusicola sonorivox), the genus name consists of two parts, "Bambusi" is the Malay word for bamboo, and "cola" means to live, which together refers to the habi...

Ptilinopus hyogastra

Ptilinopus hyogastra

Ptilinopus hyogastra，Grey-headed Fruit-dove，Grey-headed Fruit Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Ptilinopus hyogastra, and its foreign names are Grey-headed fruit-dove, Grey-headed Fruit Dove, and its specific habits are unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1: Red List of Birds 2010.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat....

Megapodius tenimberensis

Megapodius tenimberensis

Megapodius tenimberensis，Tanimbar Scrubfowl

Landfowl LC

Features：It is a large megapode with a very short, pointed crest.

The Tanimbar Scrubfowl (Megapodius tenimberensis), formerly a subspecies of the orange-footed Megapod, was designated as a separate species in 2014.Tanimba megapods live alone and in pairs. Omnivorous, eating small invertebrates and a wide variety of foods on the forest floor. Shy and mysterious, bu...

Francolinus pintadeanus

Francolinus pintadeanus

Chinese partridge, Yue pheasant, Huainan

Landfowl LC

Features：The timid Chinese partridge has excellent medicinal value

Chinese partridges like to move in secondary forests, low shrub forests, and mixed wood forests. They especially like to live in environments with sparse trees covering the roof and few deciduous grasses below. They live in dry valleys between low mountains and on rocky and sandy slopes of hills. Th...

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