Ground-living birds (Phasianidae)

Ground-living birds (Phasianidae) are the family in Galliformes, heavy terrestrial birds, including partridge, chicken, turkey, quail and peacock, weighing from 43 g for quail to 17 kg for peacock, 12.5 cm to 300 cm long and sexual dimorphism.

Males tend to be larger than females, fat, wide wings, relatively short legs and strong. Many have a spur on each foot and some have two spurs on each foot. The beak is short and dense. Often have brightly colored fur and facial ornamentation such as combs, wattles and crests.

Diets vary from a purely vegetarian diet of grains, leaves, fruits, tubers and roots, to small animals including insects, maggots and small reptiles. Most species feed on plant matter or predators.

Species in the Phasianidae generally nest in the ground to lay up to 20 eggs. The incubation time is between 14-30 days depending on the species and is almost always carried out by the female, although some involve the male taking part in caring for the eggs and young.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae

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