The Sri Lankan junglefowl (gallus lafayettii) is a beautiful bird that lives only in Sri Lanka. It’s special because it is the national bird of the country, meaning it’s an important symbol of Sri Lanka’s wildlife. You might think it looks like a chicken and that’s because the junglefowl is actually one of the ancestors of the chickens we see in farms today.
What does the Sri Lankan junglefowl look like?
The male Sri Lankan junglefowl is very colourful. He has bright red combs on his head and yellow-orange feathers on his body.
His tail is long and beautiful, with feathers that spread out like a fan. He also makes a loud, crowing sound, just like a rooster. The female junglefowl looks different.
She has brown feathers that help her blend in with the forest so she can hide from predators, like foxes or birds of prey.
Where does it live?
This bird is found only in Sri Lanka. It loves forests, especially the dry ones, where there are lots of trees, shrubs, and plants. These forests give the junglefowl the perfect place to hide and find food. Sadly, because people are cutting down trees to build houses and farms, the junglefowl is losing its home, which is why it needs our help.
What does the Sri Lankan junglefowl eat?
The junglefowl is an omnivore, which means it eats both plants and animals. It likes to eat seeds, fruits, small insects and sometimes even tiny animals. The bird spends a lot of time on the ground, looking for food by scratching at the dirt with its feet, just like a chicken.
How does the Sri Lankan junglefowl have babies?
When it’s time for the junglefowl to have babies, the male shows off his colourful feathers and makes a loud crowing sound to attract a female. If the female likes him, they will mate and then the female will find a quiet spot in the grass or bushes to lay her eggs. She will stay with the eggs until they hatch into baby chicks.
Why is the Sri Lankan junglefowl special?
The Sri Lankan junglefowl is not just beautiful and colourful; it’s also important because it is the ancestor of the chickens we see today.
Many years ago, wild birds like the junglefowl were tamed and became the chickens we raise on farms all over the world. So, every chicken you see has some of the junglefowl’s family in its history.
How can we help the Sri Lankan junglefowl?
Even though the Sri Lankan jungle fowl is not in danger right now, it still needs a safe home.
We can help by protecting forests, not cutting down too many trees and making sure animals have space to live. It’s also important not to hunt these beautiful birds, so they can live happily in the wild.
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Fun Fact
Did you know that the Sri Lankan junglefowl is great at flying? It might look like it spends a lot of time on the ground, but if it needs to, it can fly up into trees to stay safe or find a new place to live. So next time you hear a rooster crow or see a colourful bird, remember the Sri Lankan junglefowl and how special it is for us!
