Bird guideHelmeted Guineafowl

The distinctive head sports a strange bone-like casque and naked warty facial skin, which is colored white, blue, or red depending on geographic location.

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilyGuineafowl
SizeLarge
RarityUncommon
HabitatThis is a gregarious species, forming flocks outside the breeding season typically of about 25 birds that also roost communally.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample
0:000:00
Recorded by African Bioacoustics Community

Range map

Range map

991visible hotspots
7925visible records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Young birds are brown and are almost always found with adults. Guineafowl often behave like lunatics, charging around issuing a loud and distinctive “kek-kek-kek-kraaaaaaah” alarm. Crested Guineafowl differ from Helmeted Guineafowl by being darker and having a plumed crest on top of the head.

Behavior

It is common throughout its range, and large flocks roam the savannas, digging for invertebrates and tubers. It also calls a distinctive, plaintive “kuuuh-keeerk”.

Regional timing

Queensland
Peak: June to January5,846 records
New South Wales
Peak: October to January807 records
Western Australia
Peak: September to January221 records
Victoria
Peak: September to November413 records
South Australia
Peak: November112 records
Northern Territory
Peak: July to September375 records
Tasmania
Peak: November to January226 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: May2 records
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