Red Junglefowl Identification

The wild ancestor of the domestic chicken. Male has a bright red face, comb, and wattles; upperparts with a spectacular mix of iridescent colors; an oversized metallic green tail; and dark underparts.

Wild birds are often difficult to distinguish from domestic types (like this bird). Wild Red Junglefowl tend to be secretive and remain in forested habitats, while domestic types occur around humans.

The wild ancestor of the domestic chicken. Male has a familiar red head comb and rooster tail, long golden-orange hackles extending from the neck, and iridescent blue, red, and rufous patches above.

Female has reddish-brown underparts with light white streaking, yellow-and-black hackles on the neck, dark brown upperparts, and a large, rudderlike tail.

Female provides all parental care for chicks, which can fly at about one week of age.

Female is smaller and duller than male—mostly brownish overall, with pale pinkish facial skin. Both sexes use their powerful legs to scratch the ground in search of seeds, fruits, and insects.

Feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects by scratching at the ground and picking at items.

Female is smaller than male.