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Size and Weight: Male: length 65-75 cm (28 in), wingspan
48 cm (20 in), weight 800-1020 gms (1.75 - 2.25 lbs). Female:
length 42-46 cm (17 in), wingspan 38 cm (15 in), weight 485-740
gms (1-1.6 lbs).
Diet: All junglefowl eat mainly plant material including
seeds, grain, shoots and buds. They also eat insects, their eggs
and larvae. Food preferences vary seasonally.
Habitat and Distribution: In a "genuine wild state"
the Red Junglefowl exists from NW India, through Assam, Burma,
Thailand and Malaya to Indo China, South China, Hainan, Sumatra
and Java (Wayre, 1969). They are normally found in both dry and
damp jungle and forest with good cover.
Status in the Wild: Some sources refer to the Red Junglefowl
as an endangered species and state that this species is under
threat and requires protection (Nyunt, 1993). Perhaps its numbers
are hard to track because it is so similar to some domestic fowl.
There are few estimates of population density. In India winter
populations have been estimated at between 25-100 birds per square
kilometer (Johnsgard, 1986).
Status in Captivity: ISIS (2002) reports 735 in the world
population and 407 in North America though the distinction between
the wild and domesticated form of this species makes numbers difficult
to accurately depict. In its domestic form, this species is quoted
as being one of the most abundant birds in the world (Johnsgard,
1986).
Habits and Adaptations: In the wild Red Junglefowl are apparently
adept fliers whereas domestic fowl rarely fly. Wild birds are
said to be shy and not easily tamed. They forage by scratching
at the ground to find food beneath the leaf litter. Wild chicks
can fly short distances as soon as primaries have grown at a
few days of age. The male of this species spends much of his
time establishing territory by crowing. The crow is very similar
to the domestic chicken (cock-a doodle-doo) and is most intense
in early morning.
Breeding and Maturation: Most sources refer to the Red
Junglefowl as polygynous and state that it can be found in a variety
of social groups. Nyunt (1993) states that Red Junglefowl differ
from their domestic counterparts by being highly monogamous in
the wild. Sexual maturity is reached at age 1 with cocks developing
full adult plumage and spurs by age 2. They lay 4-6 eggs (rarely
up to 9) in simple scrapes on the ground protected by vegetation.
Eggs hatch at 19-21 days and chicks are precocial. Chick mortality
is thought to be high based on free-living captive populations.
Chicks are fed by the hen for several weeks while they learn to
locate food and become fully independent after 8-10 weeks.
Lifespan: In captivity this species can probably live
5-7 years.
Conservation Issues: This species is often quoted as the
single most important avian species in human history due to its
domestication by man. Chickens and their eggs have been instrumental
to the survival of man since before recorded history. They were
probably first domesticated in Southeast Asia before 2500 BC.
It is difficult to separate the domestic and wild races of this
species. It seems that much study is needed to ascertain the exact
nature and status of the wild Red Junglefowl and efforts should
be made to maintain this species in its wild form in captivity.
The distinction between wild and domestic individuals may be crucial
in maintaining pure bloodlines in captivity.
Bibliography
Delacour, J. 1957. The Pheasants of the World. Country Life Limited.
London.
Dingle, S. 1985. No Ordinary Chicken...the Red Junglefowl. AFA
Watchbird Vol XII (No. 3): June/July: p. 20.
Johnsgard. P. 1986. The Pheasants of the World. Oxford University
Press. Oxford.
Lignon, J. and Zwartjes, P. 1995. Image of male red junglefowl
does not influence mate choice by females. Animal Behavior 49
(1): 117-125.
Van der Zee, M. 1993. Why Keep Junglefowl? WPA News No 40, May.
p 20.
Wayre, P. 1969. A Guide to the Pheasants of the World. Country
Life Books, New York.
Photo: by Joanna Eckles
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