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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
Zenaida asiatica

Zenaida asiatica

Zenaida asiatica，White-Winged Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It is a brown-purple pigeon, with a wide white stripe on the horn and underside

White-Winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is known as white-winged Dove and has three subspecies.White-winged mourning pigeons nest in trees in the city and eat mostly vegetarian food such as seeds, accounting for 95% of their total diet. They rarely eat snails or insects. He eats enough food to fill the...

Zenaida graysoni

Zenaida graysoni

Zenaida graysoni

Landfowl LC

Features：The body is dull and the feet are developed

Sogorodove Zenaida graysoni, also known as the Socorro pigeon, is a species of pigeon that is endemic to Socorro Island in the Pacific Ocean, where it is native, and is most common in forested areas above 500 m, but became extinct on the island in 1972. There are currently no more than 200 individua...

Zenaida meloda

Zenaida meloda

Zenaida meloda，Pacific Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Zenaida meloda, Pacific Dove, is a South American mourning dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Zenaida auriculata，

Zenaida auriculata，

Zenaida auriculata，

Landfowl LC

Features：

Zenaida macroura (Zenaida macroura) is a species of mourning pigeon in the family Dovetail.The food of the pigeon is mostly vegetarian such as seeds, accounting for 95% of its total diet. They rarely eat snails or insects. The mourning pigeon will eat enough food to fill its crop and then digest the...

Zenaida galapagoensis

Zenaida galapagoensis

Zenaida galapagoensis，Galapagos Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Zenaida galapagoensis and Galapagos Dove 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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Zenaida aurita

Zenaida aurita

Zenaida aurita，Zenaida Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：It looks like a mourning dove, but is smaller in size, with a shorter, rounded tail and a darker color

The mourning Dove (Zenaida aurita) has three subspecies.Mourning pigeons feed on the ground, mainly on shells and seeds, and sometimes insects. They tend to forage near water, often in pairs or small groups, and often swallow coarse sand, such as small grit and sand, to aid digestion. It mainly eats...

Zenaida macroura

Zenaida macroura

Zenaida macroura，Mourning Dove

Landfowl LC

Features：Pigeons have a special place in folklore and mythology

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is a mourning dove with five subspecies.Mourning pigeons that live in the south do not migrate. In the north are all migratory birds. They breed in the north and winter in the south. In particular, mourning pigeons, which live in southern Canada, spend the winter in...

Geotrygon albifacies

Geotrygon albifacies

Geotrygon albifacies，White-faced Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Geotrygon albifacies, and its foreign name is White-faced Quail-dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility...

Geotrygon mystacea

Geotrygon mystacea

Geotrygon mystacea，Bridled Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Geotrygon mystacea, and its foreign name is Bridled Quail-dove, and its specific behavior is 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.Maintaining ecological balance...

Geotrygon versicolor

Geotrygon versicolor

Geotrygon versicolor，Crested Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geotrygon versicolor, Crested Quail-dove, is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Geotrygon chrysia

Geotrygon chrysia

Geotrygon chrysia，Key West Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Geotrygon chrysia, and its foreign name is Key West Quail-dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Geotrygon veraguensis

Geotrygon veraguensis

Geotrygon veraguensis，Olive-backed Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Geotrygon veraguensis and its foreign name is Olive backed Quail-dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibilit...

Geotrygon caniceps

Geotrygon caniceps

Geotrygon caniceps，Grey-headed Quail-dove，Grey-fronted Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geotrygon caniceps, Grey-headed Quail-dove, Grey-fronted Quail-dove, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds - Vulnerable (VU).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is every...

Geotrygon linearis

Geotrygon linearis

Geotrygon linearis，Lined Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The white-faced Quail dove is Geotrygon linearis and Lined Quail-dove. Its specific habits are unknown.Listed on the IUCN Red List of Birds ver 3.1:2000.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Geotrygon chiriquensis

Geotrygon chiriquensis

Geotrygon chiriquensis，Rufous-breasted Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geotrygon chiriquensis and Rufous-breasted Quail-dove are not known.Rare birds are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Geotrygon saphirina

Geotrygon saphirina

Geotrygon saphirina，Sapphire Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Blue Quail dove Geotrygon saphirina, foreign name Sapphire Quail-dove, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ddver 3.1:2010 Red List of Birds.Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's resp...

Geotrygon costaricensis

Geotrygon costaricensis

Geotrygon costaricensis，Buff-fronted Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Geotrygon costaricensis, and its foreign name is Buff-fronted Quail-dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibi...

Geotrygon goldmani

Geotrygon goldmani

Geotrygon goldmani，Russet-crowned Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Yellow-capped Quail dove Geotrygon goldmani, foreign name Russet-crowned Quail-dove, the specific habit is unknown.Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ver 3.1:2010 Red List of birds - Near Threatened (NT).Protect wild animals and eliminate wild meat.Maintaining ecolog...

Geotrygon montana

Geotrygon montana

Geotrygon montana，Ruddy Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

Geotrygon montana and Ruddy Quail-dove 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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Geotrygon violacea

Geotrygon violacea

Geotrygon violacea，Violaceous Quail-dove

Landfowl LC

Features：

The purple Quail dove is known as Geotrygon violacea and Violaceous Quail dove.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

Gallicolumba keayi

Gallicolumba keayi

Gallicolumba keayi，Negros Bleeding-heart

Landfowl LC

Features：

Its scientific name is Gallicolumba keayi and its foreign name is Negros Bleeding-heart.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.Maintaining ecological balance is everyone's responsibility!...

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