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Gray junglefowl Cock Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Grey junglefowl cock in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Code: Grey Junglefowl
Skills: Birds Life India
Website: www.savetreesavelife.org

Project Description

The Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), also known as Sonnerat’s junglefowl, is a fascinating bird native to India. Let me share some interesting details about this remarkable species:

Description:
- The male Grey Junglefowl has a striking appearance. It features a black cape adorned with ochre spots, and its body plumage displays intricate patterns on a grey background.
- Notably, the elongated neck feathers end in small, hard, yellowish plates, making them popular for creating high-grade artificial flies.
- Unlike the red junglefowl, the male Grey Junglefowl does not flap its wings before emitting its distinctive call.
- Females have black and white streaking on their underparts and yellow legs.
- During the breeding season, males undergo an eclipse plumage, molting their colorful neck feathers.
- Local names for this bird include “Komri” in Rajasthan, “Geera kur” or “Parda komri” in Gondi, “Jangli Murghi” in Hindi, “Raan kombdi” in Marathi, “Kattu Kozhi” in Tamil and Malayalam, “Kaadu koli” in Kannada, and “Tella adavi kodi” in Telugu.
Distribution and Habitat:
- The Grey Junglefowl is endemic to India, primarily found in peninsular India and extending into Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and southern Rajasthan.
- Their preferred habitats include tropical moist forests, thickets, forest floors, and open scrub. They can also be spotted in agricultural lands and pastures.
- Interestingly, the red junglefowl’s range overlaps with the Grey Junglefowl in the Aravalli range, although the two species largely avoid each other.
Behavior and Calls:
- Grey Junglefowls are known for their loud and distinctive calls, which sound like “Ku-kayak-kyuk-kyuk.” These calls echo through the early mornings and dusk.
- Breeding occurs from February to May, and females lay 4 to 7 pale creamy eggs in a scrape.