Sri Lanka spurfowl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sri Lanka spurfowl |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Galloperdix |
| Species: |
G. bicalcarata
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| Binomial name | |
| Galloperdix bicalcarata (Forster, 1781)
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The Sri Lanka spurfowl (Galloperdix bicalcarata) is a special bird. It lives only in the dense rainforests of Sri Lanka. This bird is part of the pheasant family. In Sri Lanka, people call it haban kukula (හබන් කුකුලා in Sinhala).
Contents
About the Sri Lanka Spurfowl
This spurfowl is a very shy bird. It is hard to see because it moves quietly through thick plants. Often, the only way to know it's nearby is by its unique call. This call sounds like a series of three-syllable whistles. You might have a chance to see this bird in places like Kitulgala and Sinharaja.
Appearance and Features
The Sri Lanka spurfowl is about 37 centimeters (14.5 inches) long. Both male and female birds have brown upper parts, wings, and tails.
The male birds have bright crimson red legs. Their bare skin on the face is also red. They have striking black and white feathers on their back and head. Their wings and upper back also have many white spots.
Both male and female birds have several spurs on their legs. These are sharp, bony growths. The scientific name of the bird comes from these spurs. The female bird has chestnut-colored feathers on her belly. Her back and wings are plain brown. She also has a more noticeable crest of feathers on her head than the male.
Habitat and Diet
The Sri Lanka spurfowl lives on the ground for most of the year. It is like many of its relatives. It digs strongly through the fallen leaves on the forest floor. It looks for small creatures without backbones, like snails and insects. It also eats different seeds, fallen fruit, and spiders.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
This spurfowl is one of three species in the Galloperdix group of birds. It builds its nest on the ground. The nest is a simple hollow in the earth. The female bird lays between 2 and 5 eggs in this nest.
In Culture
The Sri Lanka spurfowl is important in its home country. It has even appeared on a one rupee Sri Lankan postal stamp.
Images for kids
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Female Sri Lanka Spurfowl
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