Helmeted Guinea Fowl - Malawi


Portugal and Great Britain had an interest in gaining control over Malawi, but it was the British who proclaimed the area as the British Central Africa Protectorate. The colony was expanded and re-labeled as Nyasaland in 1907. It remained under British control until independence was granted on July 6, 1964.

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Numida meleagris - The helmeted Guinea fowl is the most widely distributed of the six species of Guinea fowl. It is a large bird, growing to heights of 50 centimeters. It has a distinctive black and white spotted plumage, short rounded wings, and a featherless, but colorful head. Males and females have large bony crests on their heads resembling a pointed helmet. Both sexes have red and blue wattles, folds of skin, hanging from their throat. Guinea birds are fast runners and prefer running away from danger rather than taking to the air.