Overview
The plumage is overall blackish with dense white spots. It has a distinctive black crest on the top of its head, the form of which varies from small curly feathers to down depending upon subspecies. The names crested and plumed are often misapplied across the species.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Numididae
- Genus
- Guttera
- Species
- pucherani
Habitat
It is found in open forest, woodland and forest-savanna mosaics in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Diet
Insects, plant materials, small animals.
Behavior
The species is monogamous with probable strong and long-lasting pair bonds. Courtship feeding is common. The nest is a well-hidden scrape in long grass or under a bush; eggs vary from nearly white to buff and a clutch is usually around 4 or 5.
Hunting
Hunted across its range.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.