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The Vulturine Guineafowl
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Zahoor Ahmed (zahoor_salmi)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 108 W: 0 N: 432]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (4346) |
| Genre: People |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-11-04 |
| Categories: Nature |
| Camera: Cannon 40D, Canon 400mm L 5.6 |
| Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds |
| Details: Tripod: Yes |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-11-05 7:50 |
| Viewed: 61 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) is the largest extant guineafowl species. Systematically, Acryllium are only distantly related to other guineafowl genera. Their closest living relative, the White Breasted Guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides inhabit primary forests in Central Africa. bird family, Numididae, and is the only member of the genus Acryllium. It is a resident breeder in northeast Africa, from southern Ethiopia through Kenya and just into northern Tanzania.
It breeds in dry and open habitats with scattered bushes and trees, such as savannah or grassland. It lays its usually 4-8 cream-coloured eggs in a well-hidden grass-lined scrape.
Vulturine Guineafowl is a large (61-71cm) bird with a round body and small head. It is longer in the wings, neck, legs and tail than other guineafowl. The adult has a bare blue face and black neck, and although all other guineafowl have unfeathered heads, this species looks particularly like a vulture because of the long bare neck and head.
The slim neck projects from a cape of long, glossy, blue and white hackles. The breast is cobalt blue, and the rest of the body plumage is black, finely spangled with white. The wings are short and rounded, and the tail is longer than others in the family Numididae.
The sexes are similar, although the female is usually slightly smaller than the male and with smaller tarsal spurs. Young birds are mainly grey-brown, with a duller blue breast and short hackles.
Vulturine Guineafowl is a gregarious species, forming flocks outside the breeding season typically of about 25 birds. This species' food is seeds and small invertebrates. This guineafowl is terrestrial, and will run rather than fly when alarmed. Despite the open habitat, it tends to keep to cover, and roosts in trees. It makes loud chink-chink-chink-chink-chink calls. |
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- Saba
(8905)
- [2009-11-05 11:19]
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Hello Zahoor.
Splendid, beautiful formulation and composition.
Miraculous sharpness and colours...congratulations.
I greet warmly.
Barbara
You did a most beautiful job here.The colors and sharpness of this interesting bird are outstanding.Best regards Otto.
Hi zahoor sb,
very clear and bright picture of this bird taken without flash at 23.32 hours(mid night) as per your exif data.GHreat learning that we can shoot in pitch dark without light /flash so clear.You must share the technique for others benefits also.I have been to various parts of Pakistan but never saw or heard about this bird from where did you shoot this picture.I am sure you will not mind in replying.thanks
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 35 W: 0 N: 24]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/s-n-s.gif)
(1626)![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 66 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(507)![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 431 W: 119 N: 612]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2946)
Hello Zahoor,
Lovely Image and very interesting notes.
Nice Work.
Best Wishes.
MikeD