Order Galliformes

Family Phasianidae:

Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys and Chickens

Usually no pair bond

Harem polygamy – sexual dimorphism

Turkeys – almost extinct in the US, reintroduced in the 1970s, returned in huge numbers, have unique “turkey beard” – not like feathers but a novel skin-like ornament that grows out of the chest. 

Family Numididae

Guinea fowl

African birds

Complex feathers and coloration

15 species

highly social and very diverse

 

Family Cracidae:

Currasows, Chacalacas, Guans

Neotropical

Female or biparental care

In Brazil, there calls are: female “I want to get married,” male “I want to die”

Currasows have expanded trachea, syrinx is very deep, very low vocals like grunting pig

Very edible family – all critically endangered

 

Family Megapodidae:

Megapodes and mound builders

New Zealand and New Guinea

They heat the eggs with rotting compost

No parental care after hatching

Born ready to fly

Male watches the nest and controls the temperature – some use hot-springs’ heat