guinea fowl

guinea fowl

guinea fowl gĬn´ē , common name for any of the seven species of gallinaceous birds of the family Numididae, native to Africa and Madagascar. The helmeted guinea fowl, Numida meleagris, from which the domesticated strains are descended, is typical of the family, with its bare head and neck, sleek body, smooth dark feathers dotted with white, and short tail. It is named for its bony casque. Guinea fowls are raised, mainly for their gamey flesh, in many parts of the world. Of the three domestic varieties (the pearl, the white, and the lavender), the purplish-gray colored pearl is the most common. The largest member of the family is the 24-in. (60-cm) vulturine guinea fowl, Acryllium vulturinum, found in tropical E Africa. Guinea fowls are extremely good runners and use this method, rather than flying, to escape predators. Guinea fowls are known to have been domesticated by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Galliformes, family Numididae.

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"guinea fowl." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"guinea fowl." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-guineafo.html

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guinea fowl

guinea fowl Pheasant-like game bird of Africa and Madagascar. The common domestic guinea hen (Numida meleagris) is blue, grey or black with white spots and an ornamental crest. Length: to 50cm (20in). Family Phasianidae.

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"guinea fowl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"guinea fowl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-guineafowl.html

"guinea fowl." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-guineafowl.html

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guinea fowl

guin·ea fowl • n. (pl. same) a large African game bird (family Numididae, or Phasianidae) with slate-colored, white-spotted plumage and a loud call. It is sometimes domesticated.

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"guinea fowl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"guinea fowl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-guineafowl.html

"guinea fowl." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-guineafowl.html

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guinea fowl

guinea fowl Game bird, Numida meleagris, not seasonal, and now widely farmed. Nutritionally similar to chicken.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "guinea fowl." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "guinea fowl." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-guineafowl.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "guinea fowl." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-guineafowl.html

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guinea fowl. (Image by Paul venter, GFDL)