Nothing Foul About This Bird:
Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum)

• The vulturine guineafowl is found mainly in Kenya, northeastern Tanzania, Somalia, and southeastern Ethiopia. It is one of seven different species of guineafowl (the helmeted guineafowl is the ancestor of all domestic stock).
• It is also known as the "royal" guineafowl because of its striking appearance but is named for its bald head and neck which resembles a vulture's.
• Its diet consists of seeds, grubs, and other food it digs up with its powerful beak and claws but it will also feed on small rodents and insects. Since the guineafowl inhabits dry desert areas, its main source of water comes from the vegetation it consumes.
• Individuals form small flocks as they forage for food, usually numbering 25-30 but sometimes as many as 70 birds will band together.
• Guineafowl are monomorphic and monochromatic which means both sexes are similar in form and color. The best way to distinguish the sexes is to observe their body posture: the males carry their heads high and strut around looking as large as they can; the females maintain a submissive posture.
• Two hens may share one nest and each hen may lay from 13-18 eggs which hatch in about 28 days. Within a few days, the precocial chicks can fly to their roosts in trees.
• According to Greek legend, when Meleagnos, son of Oeneus, King of Calydon died, his sisters were turned into guineafowl.

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