The family Numididae features small, African gamebirds known as Guineafowl. There are 4 genuses - Agelastes, Numida, Guttera and Acryllium. They seemingly share a common ancestor with the Francolins. All members of the family live on the African continent.
(Left to Right) Helmeted Guineafowl, Vulturine Guineafowl and Crested Guineafowl.
Social info[]
Unlike other gamebirds, guineafowl seem to have unique social behaviour. Vulturine Guineafowl can create flocks which can consist of many birds. These groups are the only known in the world of birds, and interaction between different groups has been described as "cohesive", and they don't attack.
In a Spanish Zoo, Helmeted Guineafowl have been observed to have an interesting behaviour near drinking fountains, they seem to drink in an orderly fashion.
Family Tree[]
Numida seems to be isolated from the rest of the members of Numididae, as Agelastes, Guttera and Acryllium seem to share an ultimate ancestor. Acryllium Vulturinium (Vulturine Guineafowl) is a monotypic species.