Sri Lanka junglefowl

Gallus lafayetii

Photo by Michael Tseng (Flickr)

Common name:
Sri Lanka junglefowl (en); galo-do-Ceilão (pt); coq de Lafayette (fr); gallo de Ceilán (es); Ceylonhuhn (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Sri lanka, being found throughout most of the island.

Size:
These birds have a very marked sexual dimorphism. The males are 66-72 cm long and weigh 790-1.440 g, while the females are much smaller at 35 cm long and 510-650 g in weight. 

Habitat:
They are present in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal scrublands to mountain rainforests and also arable land. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.000 m.

Diet:
They feed on grain, weed seeds, berries, flowers, various succulent leaves and buds, and also many small animals, such as termites, beetles, woodlice, crickets and centipedes.

Breeding:
Sri Lanka junglefowl can breed all year round, but mainly in February-September. They typically nest on the ground, among scrubs or below logs, but are also known to use abandoned squirrel or crow nests, several metres above the ground. The female lays 2-4 light brown eggs with reddish-brown speckles, which are for 20-21 days. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and being quickly able to scratch for food. They rely on the mother for protection for some time. They can raise 2 broods per year.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a relatively large breeding range and is described as locally abundant. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.