Galliformes
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Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds, which includes turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. The name derives from "gallus," Latin for "cock" or "rooster". Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms. This group has about 290 species, one or more of which are found in essentially every part of the world's continents (except for the innermost deserts and perpetual ice). They are more rare on islands, and in contrast to the closely related waterfowl are essentially absent from oceanic islands—unless introduced there by humans. Several species have been domesticated during their long and extensive relationship with humans. They are important as seed dispersers and predators in the ecosystems they inhabit, and are often reared as game birds by humans for their meat and eggs and for recreational hunting. Many gallinaceous species are skilled runners and escape predators by running rather than flying. Males of most species are more colorful than the females. Males often have elaborate courtship behaviors that include strutting, fluffing of tail or head feathers, and vocal sounds. They are mainly non-migratory.
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Attwater's prairie chicken | Australian brushturkey | Black grouse | California quail |
Chicken | Common pheasant | Copper pheasant | Domestic guineafowl |
Golden pheasant | Green pheasant | Grey partridge | Helmeted guineafowl |
Horned guan | Indian peafowl | Junglefowl | Malleefowl |
Mikado pheasant | †New Zealand quail | Rock ptarmigan | Turkey |
Western capercaillie |