Helmeted Guineafowl
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| Helmeted Guineafowl | KF3 | Gallery |
The Helmeted Guineafowl is a type of bird Friend that first appeared in Kemono Friends 3.
Appearance
Helmeted Guineafowl has dark brown eyes with patterned hair; it starts as a crimson and turns to a sky-blue for her bangs, with black tips at the back of her hair. She has two longer strands of hair on either side of her head that are tied with white bands. Directly under these bands, her hair is dark blue with a gradient transition into the same red found on top of her head. Her "helmet" is mostly cream with a dark brown tip. She sports a red bow on her center bangs. The two wings on the side of her head are black with white polka dots, similar to the real life animal.
Helmet Guineafowl's dress bears her signature black-and-white polka dot pattern for the shirt and sleeves, whereas the belt and skirt are solid black. The skirt itself is very puffy and full with a ruffled trim. Her leggings also have the distinct polka dot pattern. Finally, she has calf-high gray boots with a bow on the top hem.
In Real Life
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The Helmeted Guineafowl is a bird of around 53 to 58 cm (21 to 23 in), bearing a round, stocky body and a small, bald head. Their plumage ranges from dark gray to black, and is adorned with a dense pattern of white spots. Its head sports hues of black, blue, and/or red, and is crowned with a dull yellow or reddish bony knob from which its "helmeted" moniker stems.
Though they are able to glide for short distances, the bodies of these birds are much more suited for running; they can reliably manoeuvre rough terrain at high speeds, and even when started are more likely to run from a threat than to take wing. When danger is spotted, helmeted guineafowl emit a loud warning call, alerting not only other guineafowl but also other prey animals of a predator's presence. Further assisting in this matter is that helmeted guineafowl are a very social species, with flocks reaching up to 25 birds.
Helmeted guineafowl are omnivorous, happily eating tubers, grains, seeds, and small invertebrates; in the breeding season, the latter might compose up to 80% of a guineafowl's diet. Quite relatedly, these birds are considered a valuable species for domestication, both in their native African countries and in other nations where they are transported specifically for their benefits. They commonly consume the seeds of weeds which would otherwise compete with agricultural crops- as well as spillage of agricultural grain, which could otherwise attract rodents- and they are adept at consuming massive quantities of ticks, which are known vectors for potentially dangerous diseases such as Lyme. Additionally, their eggs and meat can provide food and income, and they can be kept with other fowl such as chickens for protection of the latter; in the event a predator such as a cat, canid, or raptor should be hunting nearby, the guineafowl's warning cries can serve to alert the other birds to the threat.
Trivia
- The young of domesticated guineafowl are called keets.
- While wild guineafowl are known to be competent mothers, even working together to raise large clutches, domesticated guinea hens are known to abandon nests frequently, leaving their eggs to the elements.
- Though native to Africa, helmeted guineafowl introduced to other countries for domestication have in turn spawned feral populations, which today can be found across Australia, Europe, North America, and the West Indies.