Family Phasianidae
turkeys, grouse, pheasants, and partridges

Phasianidae is a diverse group comprising over 50 genera and over 214 species. Phasianid galliforms are commonly known as grouse, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, francolins, and Old World quail. Phasianids are small to large, blunt-winged terrestrial birds. Some species are noted for elaborate courtship displays in which males strut about, displaying colorful plumage and wattles, sometimes accompanied by an expansive spreading of the tail feathers. Some members of this group are important game birds and others, like domestic chickens (derived from Gallus gallus), are bred and reared for human consumption. (Johnsgard, 1999; Madge and McGowan, 2002; Sibley and Ahlquist, 1990; Sibley and Monroe, 1993)

Phasianids are distributed globally except for polar regions and some oceanic islands. (Johnsgard, 1999)

Phasianids inhabit a diversity of habitats including rainforests, scrub forests, deserts, woodlands, bamboo thickets, cultivated lands, alpine meadows, tundra and forest edges. Some species may be found up to 5000 m above sea level, sometimes more. (Johnsgard, 1983; Johnsgard, 1999; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Morphological and molecular analyses generally support the inclusion of Phasianidae within Galliformes. Within Galliformes, historical relationships remain unclear. The following groups are generally recognized: Megapodiidae (megapodes), Cracidae (currasows, guans, chachalacas), Phasianidae (phasianid galliforms including: pheasants, partridges and francolins, turkeys, and grouse). Morphological and molecular analyses suggest multiple hypotheses for phasianid relationships within Galliformes. Two currently debated hypotheses suggest that either Phasianidae is sister to Cracidae or that Phasianidae is sister to the group comprising Cracidae and Megapodiidae. Historical relationships within Phasianidae remain unresolved. Identification of genera and species lacks consensus, although about 58 genera and roughly 214 species are recognized. Taxa recognized within Phasianidae include: grouse (six genera, 17 species; sometimes recognized as a distinct group Tetraonidae), turkeys (two genera, two species; sometimes recognized as a distinct group Meleagrididae); pheasants (about 16 genera, perhaps 50 species); partridges, francolins, and Old World quail (perhaps 20 genera, 94 to 106 species). Guineafowl (Numididae) were previously included in Phasianidae and are now recognized as a distinct family, as are New World quails (Odontophoridae). (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Dyke, Gulas, and Crowe, 2003; Haaramo, 2004; Sibley and Ahlquist, 1990; Sorenson et al., 2003)

Phasianids are small to large, ranging from 500 g to 9.5 kg in weight. Phasianids have short, rounded wings. Tail length is variable by species, appearing almost tailless in some to up to one meter in others. Plumage coloration ranges from cryptic to dark to brightly -patterned. The legs are sturdy and one or more spurs may be present on the tarsus. Toes are short with blunt claws and the hallux is raised. Phasianids may have crests, or bare skin on the head or neck, or wattles. Physical characteristics may be sexually monomorphic or dimorphic depending on species. Some phasianid males are larger, more brightly colored, have longer tails or more elaborate ornamentation than females. (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Dickson, 1992; Johnsgard, 1999; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Some species in the wild may live for five to eight years (grouse) whereas some captive phasianids have survived for 30 years (Great Argus). (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Johnsgard, 1983)

Phasianids are generally sedentary although a few species migrate long distances in large flocks. Phasianids are mainly terrestrial ground dwellers that move about mostly by walking, and may fly only short distances. Phasianids forage by digging and scratching the ground. When disturbed some phasianids fly straight up into the air, then fly horizontally away from the source of the disturbance. Other species will move quietly into cover when disturbed. Many species are often seen dust-bathing. Some quail and partridges live in social groups from 4 to 40 individuals. They do not appear to defend territories and monogamous pair bonds may persist year round. Old World quail may be solitary or live in coveys. These taxa are sometimes polygynous, with males defending territories and singing to attract females to nest. During migration Old World quail may travel in large flocks. Pheasant social organization varies. Some species may gather into flocks, which break up into breeding pairs during the breeding season. Others may be found in single sex groups of bachelor males or groups of females defended by one male. Males may defend territories and attract one or more females to breed. Still others may live primarily solitarily, with males defending territories and attracting females to display grounds. (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Johnsgard, 1999; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

In some pheasants dominance hierarchies play an important role in organizing social structure. The hierarchy consists of individualized dominant-subordinate relationships. Males generally dominate females. Male and female hierarchies are established via intra-sexual interactions. Higher rank may be associated with greater body and comb size, and success in threat posturing. High-ranking males achieve high mating success relative to lower ranking males. Dominant females appear less sexually receptive. Behavioral displays used to establish hierarchies include: waltzing, wing-flapping, tid-bitting, feather ruffling, head shaking, tail spreading, frontal or bilateral wing lowering, wattle engorgement, or crouching. (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Johnsgard, 1983; Johnsgard, 1999; Madge and McGowan, 2002)

Visual signaling may occur through morphological features or behavioral interactions. Some phasianids have brightly colored skin on the face or neck, wattles or elaborately structured and brightly colored plumage. Males appear to display these features during courtship and during agonistic male-male interactions. Posturing during threat displays may entail upright lateral or frontal positioning while submission may involve a lowering of the body to the substrate.

Phasianid vocalizations range from the familiar crowing of the domestic fowl to loud screams to clucking or hissing. Crowing may be individually identifiable signals for territory defense or mate attraction. Sustained raucous screams may be given in response to alarm. Threat vocalizations are low in frequency and submission appears to be accompanied by hissing. Clucking may serve as a brood gathering vocalization. Phasianids may also produce acoustic signals by rattling tail feathers or by drumming in flight as known from some grouse. (Johnsgard, 1983; Johnsgard, 1999)

Food habits of phasianids are varied, consisting of a mixture of plant and animal material. Plant materials include: grains, seeds, roots, tubers, nuts, fruits, berries and foliage. Animal materials include: arthropods (Ephemerida, Orthoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera), mollusks, worms, lizards, and snakes. (Campbell and Lack, 1985; Johnsgard, 1983; Johnsgard, 1999)

Mammalian predators of phasianids include: foxes, dogs, cats, opossums, raccoons, skunks, rodents, fishers, and mongooses. Avian predators include raptors and corvids. Reptilian predators are largely snakes. (Dickson, 1992; Johnsgard, 1999)

Phasianids may serve an ecosystem role as seed dispersers or seed predators.

Phasianids may cause damage to some agricultural crops (maize, barley, wheat, millet) by foraging for seeds and shoots on cultivated lands. (Campbell and Lack, 1985)

Phasianids are economically important to humans. Phasianids such as grouse, quail, partridges, pheasants and turkeys are important game birds that are hunted regularly in all parts of the world. Some phasianids, such as common fowl (derived from Gallus gallus), have been domesticated and are reared for human consumption of meat and eggs and for "fancy". Most species are hunted primarily for food, although feathers of some species have been collected for ornamentation and clothing manufacture. Sometimes bones have been used in the manufacture of various tools.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species includes 68 phasianid species. Two species are listed as extinct: double-banded argus (Argusianus bipunctatus) and New Zealand quail (Coturnix novaezelandiae). Habitat loss and hunting are among the major threats identified for this group. (Collar, Crosby, and Stattersfield, 1994; IUCN, 2007)