Jungle Fowl

The jungle fowl is a wild bird that looks like a chicken and lives in forests. In fact, it is the original bird that domestic chickens came from! Jungle fowls are colorful, active, and strong survivors in the wild.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Aves

• Order: Galliformes

• Family: Phasianidae

• Genus: Gallus

• Main Species: Gallus gallus (Red Junglefowl)

Common Names

• Jungle Fowl

• Wild Chicken

• Red Junglefowl

• Bush Hen (in some local languages)

 Geographic Distribution

Jungle fowls are found mostly in:

• Southeast Asia (India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)

• Southern China

• Some live in forest edges, bushlands, and farmlands

Image showing a wild jungle fowl roaming freely in a forest clearing (Source: Freepik)

Physical Characteristics

• Size: About 40–75 cm long

• Weight: 0.5 to 1.2 kg

• Male (Rooster): Colorful feathers, red, gold, green, and black

• Female (Hen): Brown or dull-colored to blend with surroundings

• Comb & Wattles: Red and fleshy on males

• Tail Feathers: Males have long, curved tail feathers

Types of Jungle Fowl

1. Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

Image showing brightly colored red junglefowl male in the wild (Source: Thai National Parks)

• Most common and ancestor of domestic chicken

• Males crow loudly like farm roosters

• Found across South and Southeast Asia

2. Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii)

Image showing grey junglefowl male with striking speckled feathers (Source: Wikipedia)

• Native to India

• Has grey and black plumage with orange-yellow legs

• Known for its fast, short flights

3. Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius)

Image showing a shiny green and bronze junglefowl in Indonesia (Source: Wikipedia)

• Native to Indonesia

• Shiny, greenish feathers

• Quieter than red junglefowl

 Jungle Fowl Behavior

• Active during the day (diurnal)

• Roost in trees at night to stay safe

• Scratches the ground for food

• Males fight for females during breeding season

• Hens lay eggs in hidden nests on the ground

 What do they eat?

Jungle fowls are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals:

• Seeds and grains

• Insects and worms

• Fruits and small lizards

• Roots and fallen leaves

They scratch the ground like chickens to find food.

Fun facts about Jungle Fowls

• Domestic chickens are descendants of the red junglefowl.

• Males crow to show power and mark territory.

• Hens lay 5 to 10 eggs in hidden nests.

• Jungle fowls can fly short distances, especially to escape danger.

• They were first domesticated over 8,000 years ago.

 Importance to Humans

Positive Roles:

• Source of domestic chicken breeds

• Adds to forest biodiversity

• Studied by scientists to learn about animal behavior and evolution

• Some communities still hunt or raise them for traditional use

Challenges:

• Habitat loss from farming and buildings

• Hunting in some areas

• Mixing with farm chickens reduces pure bloodlines

Health & common issues

Wild jungle fowls are usually hardy, but in captivity or near human areas they may face:

Common Issues:

• Respiratory infections (cold-like symptoms)

• Parasites like lice and worms

• Injuries from predators

• Nutritional problems if not fed well

Veterinary Care Tips:

• Clean, dry coop if kept in captivity

• Balanced feed with vitamins

• Deworming and parasite checks

• Protection from predators like dogs or snakes

 Conservation Status

• Most jungle fowl species are not endangered, but some populations are shrinking

• The green junglefowl is more at risk due to limited range

• Protected in national parks and wildlife reserves

Jungle Fowl vs Chicken

In case you have poultry questions or need avian care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Doctor Hulk Veterinary Hospital or call 08143397614.