Taxonomy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Galliformes
- Family: Phasianidae
- Genus: Gallas
- Species: gallas
- Average Male Length: 2.1-2.5 ft (65-75 cm)
- Average Female Length: 1.4-1.5 ft (42-46 cm)
- Average Male Weight: 1.5-3.2 lbs (0.7-1.45 kg)
- Average Female Weight: 1.1-2.3 lbs (0.5-1.05 kg)
- Expected Lifespan: 10 years
The red junglefowl is a tropical member of the Pheasant family and is the direct ancestor of all domestic poultry. It is believed that they were first domesticated at least 5,000 years ago in India. Since then, the domesticated form has been taken all around the world as a very productive food source for both meat and eggs, which some breeds have been specifically developed to produce more.
This species is native to Southern Asia, particularly the Indian jungles. Its range stretches from northeast India, where the pure species has been diluted with back-crosses from domestic breeds, eastwards across southern China and down into Malaysia and Indonesia. Throughout its extensive range, the red junglefowl occupies most tropical and subtropical habitats, including mangroves, scrubland, and plantations. Although, it seems that it prefers flat or gently sloping terrain, forest edges, and secondary forest. It has also been recorded being found in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Animal Almanac 