Green Junglefowl Gallus varius Scientific name definitions

Male 65–75 cm, 672–1450 g; female 40–46 cm, 485–1050 g (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Male unmistakable, with appearance of scaling of different colours over most of dark green plumage, looks blackish over head , neck and mantle, back, rump, tail and wings glossy blue-black, back with yellow-edged hackles and orange-red fringes to lesser and median wing-coverts; multicoloured comb (green at base, becoming mauve and finally red on outer edge, which is not toothed) and hackles distinctive (narrow, lanceolate and elongated); single large throat lappet , which is red at base becoming pale yellow, then blue and purple at outer edge. Male lacks distinct eclipse plumage. Female differs from those of other Gallus by combination of scaly upperparts, barred wings and lack of bold pattern on breast; head and neck dull brown, upperparts blackish brown with buff shaft-streaks and fringes, tail also blackish brown with metallic green and pale buff edges to rectrices, throat whitish, breast pale brown and rear underparts greyish or warm buff, finely scaled darker. Male has single, sharp spur, female usually none. Juvenile resembles female, but young male soon acquires adult male features; first-year male differs from adult in having comb and throat lappet smaller, tail shorter and spurs less developed.

Introduced to Cocos Is.

Java, Bali and neighbouring islands of Lesser Sundas E to Flores, Sumba and Alor.

Coastal areas and low-lying valleys, but also found in inland forest, though only rarely enters areas of dense woodland; will occur near settlements, especially where it is not hunted. Inhabits forest margins and scrub around rice plantations and other cultivation, as well as savanna, from sea-level to 3000 m in E Java, but usually lower elsewhere, e.g. 1500 m in W Java and on Bali, and 2400 m in Lesser Sundas (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

No movements described.

Very little known, but believed to feed on insects and weed seeds and to visit grain fields regularly; sometimes emerges in open areas in early morning and late afternoon. Often forages close to grazing ungulates, either taking insects disturbed by them or picking at items in their dung (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). In captivity consumes seeds, berries, leaves, fruit, insects and worms. Typically observed singly, but occasionally in groups of 5–6 individuals, even more rarely up to 12 (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Territorial call a short raucous crowing phrase consisting of three notes without pauses, “crrrro-wow-whorr!”. Male also gives a slow cackling “wok-wok-wok...” and, in alarm, a brisk “chop..chop..chop...”, whereas the female utters a rapid “kok..kok..kok…” (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Little reliable information available, but season believed to be long and variable on Java; usually Jun–Nov; 16 nest records for period Mar–Nov, with eight in May–Jun; earlier in E Java than in W. Mating system presumed to be monogamous (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Nest a depression in ground amidst dense vegetation; occasionally placed atop a tree fern. Data on clutch size are unreliable, with claims of mean eight buff-white eggs (6–12) probably too high, and 3–4 eggs more likely; incubation in captivity 21 days; chicks have chocolate-brown down above, creamy white below, with brown neck and breast.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Mace Lande: safe. Known from c. 50 localities (2 McGowan, P., M. Gillman, and M. Dodd (1998). Assessing the status of poorly known species: lessons from partridges and pheasants of Southeast Asia. Biological Conservation 83(1):1–7. Close ). Occurs in a variety of habitats, including secondary vegetation and man-modified habitats, e.g. coffee plantations, and therefore not of immediate conservation concern. Widespread throughout range (estimated at 188,000 km²) and found near human settlements in heavily populated areas on Java. Found in many protected areas of various designations (e.g. Ujong Kulon and Baluran National Parks, on Java, and Bali Barat National Park, on Bali) (1 Madge, S., and P. McGowan (2002). Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse, including Buttonquails, Sandgrouse and Allies. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), but such areas may not be essential for long-term survival of species. Few data on abundance in Lesser Sundas, but species seems common on Adonara (3 Schellekens, M., Trainor, C.R. and Duhan, G.U.U.B. (2011). New and significant bird records for Solor, Adonara, and Lembata (Lomblen) islands, Lesser Sundas. Kukila. 15: 31–49. Close ). At present, most important conservation requirement is cessation of over-exploitation of wild populations, as species is trapped extensively for pet trade; species is hybridized with domestic fowl, and male offspring are much prized for vocal competitions; this activity was once the practice exclusively of inhabitants of Kangean Is (off NE Java), but entire villages along N coast of Bali now pursue this same activity, with result that many males are now being removed from populations; in 1980, the hybrid, known locally as bekisar, was declared provincial bird of E Java, resulting in an increase in trade.