Other Free Encyclopedias :: Animal Life Resource :: Birds Scientific Reference - Vol 2

Fowls and Pheasants: Phasianidae - Behavior And Reproduction, Fowls And Pheasants And People, Wild Turkey (meleagris Gallopavo): Species Accounts - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS

WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
WILLOW PTARMIGAN (Lagopus lagopus): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
SATYR TRAGOPAN (Tragopan satyra): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Fowls and pheasants measure 6 to 48 inches (15 to 125 centimeters) and weigh 1.5 to 24.2 pounds (0.7 to 11 kilograms). All species have a heavy, round body. Legs and neck are short, head and tail are small (except in a few long-tailed species), and facial ornamentation varies. Coloration of skin and plumage (feathers) also varies, but males are almost always the more colorful sex.

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Fowls and pheasants are found throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.

HABITAT

Habitats vary widely for these birds. Some live in mountain regions, others in subtropical forests and rainforests. Still others prefer the grasslands.

DIET

Fowls and pheasants eat vegetation, buds, pine needles, roots, bulbs, seeds, fruits, invertebrates (animals without backbones) such as ants and termites, and berries. Baby snowcocks eat legumes (peas, beans, and lentils).

CONSERVATION STATUS

Seventy-three species (41 percent of all species) are included on the 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.