Phasianidae

The Phasianidae  is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges, including the junglefowl (including chicken), Old World Quail, francolins, monals and peafowl. The family is a large one, and is occasionally broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae, and the Perdicinae. Sometimes additional families and birds are treated as being in this family as well; the American Ornithologists' Union includes Tetraonidae (the grouse), Numididae (guineafowls), and Meleagrididae (turkeys) in Phasianidae as subfamilies.

The earliest fossil records of phasianids date to the late Oligocene epoch, about 30 million years ago.

Distribution
The pheasants and their allies are an Old World family, with a distribution that includes most of Europe and Asia (except the far north), all of Africa except the driest deserts and down into much of eastern Australia and (formerly) New Zealand. The greatest diversity of species is in Southeast Asia and Africa. Amongst the pheasants, with the exception of the Congo Peafowl, the distribution is entirely restricted to Asia; the Perdicinae have a much more widespread distribution. Within their range they occupy almost every available habitat except for boreal forest and tundra.

The family is generally sedentary and resident, although some quails undertake long migrations. Several species in the family have been widely introduced around the world, particularly pheasants which have been introduced to Europe, Australia and the Americas. Captive populations of peacocks and chickens have also escaped and become feral.

Description
Phasianids are terrestrial, ground living species. They are variable in size and ranging from 43 g, in the case of the King Quail, to 6 kg in the case of the Indian Peafowl. There is generally sexual dimorphism in size, with males tending to be larger than females. They are generally plump, with broad relatively short wings and strong legs. Many have a spur on their legs, a feature shared with guineafowl and turkeys but no other galliform birds. The bill is short and generally strong, particularly in species that dig in order to obtain food. Males of the larger species often have brightly coloured plumage as well as facial ornamentations such as wattles or crests.

Behaviour
The pheasants and partridges have a varied diet, with foods taken ranging from purely vegetarian diets of seeds, leaves, fruits, tubers and roots, to small animals including insects, insect grubs and even small reptiles. Most species either specialise in feeding on plant matter or are predatory, although the chicks of most species are insectivorous.

In addition to the variation in diet there is a considerable amount of variation in breeding strategies amongst the Phasianidae. Compared to birds in general there is a large number of species that do not engage in monogamy (the typical breeding system of most birds). The francolins of Africa and some partridges are reportedly monogamous, but polygamy has been reported in the pheasants and junglefowl, some quail, and the breeding displays of peacocks have been compared to those of a lek. Nesting usually occurs on the ground; only the tragopans nest higher up in stumps of bushes. Nests can vary from monds of vegetation to slight scrapes in the ground. As many as 18 eggs can be laid in the nest, although 7-12 is the more usual number, with smaller numbers in tropical species. Incubation is almost always performed by the female only, and last from 14–30 days depending on the species.

Relationship with humans
Several species of pheasant and partridge are extremely important to humans. The Red Junglefowl of Southeast Asia is the wild ancestor of the domesticated chicken, the most important bird in agriculture. Several species are threatened by human activities.

Subfamily Rollulinae

 * Genus Xenoperdix
 * Rubeho Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix obscuratus
 * Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis


 * Genus Caloperdix
 * Ferruginous Partridge, Caloperdix oculea


 * Genus Melanoperdix
 * Black Wood-partridge, Melanoperdix nigra


 * Genus Rollulus
 * Crested Partridge, Rollulus roulroul


 * Genus Arborophila, the hill partridges
 * Hill Partridge, Arborophila torqueola
 * Sichuan Partridge, Arborophila rufipectus
 * Chestnut-breasted Partridge, Arborophila mandellii
 * White-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila gingica
 * Rufous-throated Partridge, Arborophila rufogularis
 * White-cheeked Partridge, Arborophila atrogularis
 * Taiwan Partridge, Arborophila crudigularis
 * Hainan Partridge, Arborophila ardens
 * Chestnut-bellied Partridge, Arborophila javanica
 * Grey-breasted Partridge, Arborophila orientalis
 * Bar-backed Partridge, Arborophila brunneopectus
 * Orange-necked Partridge, Arborophila davidi
 * Chestnut-headed Partridge, Arborophila cambodiana
 * Red-breasted Partridge, Arborophila hyperythra
 * Red-billed Partridge, Arborophila rubrirostris
 * Scaly-breasted Partridge, Arborophila chloropus
 * Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, Arborophila charltonii
 * Sumatran Partridge, Arborophila sumatrana
 * Vietnam Partridge, Arborophila merlini

Subfamily Argusianinae

 * Genus Rheinartia
 * Crested Argus, Rheinartia ocellata
 * Genus Argusianus
 * Great Argus, Argusianus argus
 * Double-banded Argus, Argusianus bipunctatus 

Subfamily Pavoninae

 * Genus Afropavo
 * Congo Peacock, Afropavo congensis


 * Genus Pavo
 * Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
 * Green Peafowl, Pavo muticus

Subfamily Polyplectroninae

 * Genus Haematortyx
 * Crimson-headed Partridge, Haematortyx sanguiniceps


 * Genus Polyplectron, Peacock-Pheasants
 * Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron chalcurum)
 * Mountain Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron inopinatum)
 * Germain's Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron germaini)
 * Grey Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron bicalcaratum)
 * Hainan Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron katsumatae)
 * Malayan Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron malacense)
 * Bornean Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron schleiermacheri)
 * Palawan Peacock-Pheasant, (Polyplectron emphanum)

Subfamily Gallinae

 * Genus Peliperdix:
 * Latham's Francolin, Peliperdix lathami


 * Genus Francolinus:
 * Grey Francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus
 * Crested Francolin, Francolinus sephaena
 * Black Francolin, Francolinus francolinus
 * Painted Francolin, Francolinus pictus
 * Chinese Francolin, Francolinus pintadeanus
 * Swamp Francolin, Francolinus gularis


 * Genus Bambusicola
 * Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola fytchii
 * Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Bambusicola thoracica


 * Genus  Galloperdix :
 * Red Spurfowl, Galloperdix spadicea
 * Painted Spurfowl, Galloperdix lunulata
 * Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Galloperdix bicalcarata


 * Genus Gallus:
 * Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus
 * Sri Lanka Junglefowl, Gallus lafayetii
 * Grey Junglefowl, Gallus sonneratii
 * Green Junglefowl, Gallus varius


 * Genus Scleroptila:
 * Coqui Francolin, Scleroptila coqui
 * White-throated Francolin, Scleroptila albogularis
 * Schlegel's Francolin, Scleroptila schlegelii
 * Finsch's Francolin, Scleroptila finschi
 * Orange River Francolin, Scleroptila levaillantoides
 * Moorland Francolin, Scleroptila psilolaemus
 * Shelley's Francolin, Scleroptila shelleyi
 * Ring-necked Francolin, Scleroptila streptophorus
 * Red-winged Francolin, Scleroptila levaillantii
 * Grey-winged Francolin, Scleroptila africanus

Subfamily Tetraogallinae

 * Genus Synoicus
 * Brown Quail, Synoicus ypsilophora


 * Genus Excalfactoria
 * Blue Quail, Excalfactoria adansonii
 * King Quail, Excalfactoria chinensis


 * Genus Margaroperdix
 * Madagascar Partridge, Margaroperdix madagascarensis


 * Genus Anurophasis
 * Snow Mountains Quail, Anurophasis monorthonyx


 * Genus Coturnix
 * Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix
 * Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica
 * Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica
 * Harlequin Quail, Coturnix delegorguei
 * Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis
 * †New Zealand Quail, Coturnix novaezelandiae (extinct)
 * †Canary Islands Quail, Coturnix gomerae (fossil)


 * Genus Tetraogallus
 * Caucasian Snowcock, Tetraogallus caucasicus
 * Caspian Snowcock, Tetraogallus caspius
 * Himalayan Snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis
 * Tibetan Snowcock, Tetraogallus tibetanus
 * Altai Snowcock, Tetraogallus altaicus


 * Genus Alectoris
 * Barbary Partridge, Alectoris barbara
 * Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala
 * Rock Partridge, Alectoris graeca
 * Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa
 * Chukar Partridge, Alectoris chukar
 * Philby's Partridge, Alectoris philbyi
 * Przevalski's Partridge, Alectoris magna


 * Genus Ammoperdix
 * See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis
 * Sand Partridge, Ammoperdix heyi


 * Genus Ophrysia
 * †Himalayan Quail, Ophrysia superciliosa (critically endangered/extinct)


 * Genus Perdicula
 * Jungle Bush Quail, Perdicula asiatica
 * Rock Bush Quail, Perdicula argoondah
 * Painted Bush Quail, Perdicula erythrorhyncha
 * Manipur Bush Quail, Perdicula manipurensis


 * Genus Pternistis ("Spurfowl"):
 * Hartlaub's Francolin, Pternistis hartlaubi
 * Double-spurred Francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
 * Heuglin's Francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus
 * Clapperton's Francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
 * Harwood's Francolin, Pternistis harwoodi
 * Red-billed Spurfowl, Pternistis adspersus
 * Cape Spurfowl, Pternistis capensis
 * Natal Spurfowl, Pternistis natalensis
 * Hildebrandt's Francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti
 * Scaly Francolin, Pternistis squamatus
 * Ahanta Francolin, Pternistis ahantensis
 * Grey-striped Francolin, Pternistis griseostriatus
 * Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Pternistis leucoscepus
 * Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Pternistis rufopictus
 * Red-necked Spurfowl, Pternistis afer
 * Swainson's Spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii
 * Jackson's Francolin, Pternistis jacksoni
 * Handsome Francolin, Pternistis nobilis
 * Mount Cameroon Francolin, Pternistis camerunensis
 * Swierstra's Francolin, Pternistis swierstrai
 * Chestnut-naped Francolin, Pternistis castaneicollis
 * Erckel's Francolin, Pternistis erckelii
 * Djibouti Francolin, Pternistis ochropectus

Tribe Ithaginini

 * Genus Ithaginis
 * Blood Pheasant, (Ithaginis cruentus)

Tribe Lophophorini

 * Genus Tragopan
 * Western Tragopan, (Tragopan melanocephalus)
 * Satyr Tragopan, (Tragopan satyra)
 * Blyth's Tragopan, (Tragopan blythii)
 * Temminck's Tragopan, (Tragopan temminckii)
 * Cabot's Tragopan, (Tragopan caboti)


 * Genus Lerwa
 * Snow Partridge, Lerwa lerwa


 * Genus Tetraophasis
 * Verreaux's Monal-Partridge, Tetraophasis obscurus
 * Szechenyi's Monal-Partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii


 * Genus Lophophorus
 * Himalayan Monal, Lophophorus impejanus
 * Sclater's Monal, Lophophorus sclateri
 * Chinese Monal, Lophophorus lhuysii

Tribe Meleagrini

 * Genus Meleagris
 * Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo
 * Ocellated Turkey, Meleagris ocellata

Tribe Tetraonini

 * Genus Bonasa
 * Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus


 * Genus Tetrastes
 * Hazel Grouse, Tetrastes bonasia
 * Chinese Grouse, Tetrastes sewerzowi


 * Genus Centrocercus - sage grouse
 * Sage Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
 * Gunnison Grouse, Centrocercus minimus


 * Genus Dendragapus
 * Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
 * Sooty Grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus


 * Genus Tympanuchus - prairie grouse
 * Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
 * Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse, T. phasianellus columbianus
 * Greater Prairie Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido
 * Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido attwateri
 * Heath Hen, Tympanuchus cupido cupido (extinct, 1932)
 * Lesser Prairie Chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus


 * Genus Lagopus - ptarmigans
 * Willow Ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus
 * Red Grouse, Lagopus (lagopus) scoticus
 * Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus muta
 * White-tailed Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucura


 * Genus Falcipennis
 * Siberian Grouse, Falcipennis falcipennis
 * Franklin's Grouse, Falcipennis (canadensis) franklinii


 * Genus Canachites
 * Spruce Grouse, Canachites canadensis


 * Genus Tetrao - black grouse
 * Western Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus
 * Black-billed Capercaillie, Tetrao parvirostris


 * 'Genus Lyrurus''
 * Black Grouse, Lyrurus tetrix
 * Caucasian Grouse, Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi

Tribe Phasianini

 * Genus Pucrasia
 * Koklass Pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha


 * Genus Rhizothera
 * Long-billed Partridge, Rhizothera longirostris
 * Hose's Partridge, Rhizothera dulitensis''


 * Genus Perdix
 * Tibetan Partridge, Perdix hodgsoniae
 * Grey Partridge, Perdix perdix
 * Daurian Partridge, Perdix dauurica


 * Genus Syrmaticus, Long-tailed Pheasants
 * Reeve's Pheasant, Syrmaticus reevesi
 * Elliot's Pheasant, Syrmaticus ellioti
 * Mrs. Hume's Pheasant, Syrmaticus humiae
 * Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado
 * Copper Pheasant, Syrmaticus soemmerringi


 * Genus Chrysolophus, Ruffed Pheasants
 * Golden Pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus
 * Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Chrysolophus amherstiae


 * Genus Phasianus, Typical Pheasants
 * Green Pheasant Phasianus versicolor
 * Common Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus


 * Genus Catreus
 * Cheer Pheasant, Catreus wallichii


 * Genus Crossoptilon, Eared Pheasants
 * White-eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon crossoptilon
 * Tibetan Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon harmani
 * Brown Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon mantchuricum
 * Blue Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon auritum


 * Genus Lophura, Gallopheasants
 * Siamese Fireback, Lophura diardi
 * Crested Fireback, Lophura ignita
 * Crestless Fireback, Lophura erythrophthalma
 * Hoogerwerf's Pheasant, Lophura hoogerwerfi
 * Salvadori's Pheasant, Lophura inornata
 * Bulwer's Pheasant, Lophura bulweri
 * Kalij Pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos
 * Silver Pheasant, Lophura nycthemera
 * Swinhoe's Pheasant, Lophura swinhoii
 * Edward's Pheasant, Lophura edwardsi