struggling to identify this bird.

[kelz1976]

We see this bird regular at out local park in West Yorkshire and have looked through numerous books and trauled the internet in search of what it is. The closest I have found seems to be some kind of turkey but with shorter legs??? If anyone could identify it we would be extreemly grateful. It flies but does not seem to be too comfortable doing so, seemed to struggle to get to the island in the middle of the pond, it is generally seen following the birds around the edge of the pond and comes almost as close as the ducks when we are feeding them.



Please help!

[Jason Green]

Hi Kelz, and welcome to WAB

I think your bird might be a Helmeted Guinea-fowl, Numida meleagris. It's a non-native game bird.

[Jenny W]

Helmeted Guineafowl, a commonly kept bird in Britain but native to Africa.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

Helmeted Guineafowl, a commonly kept bird in Britain but native to Africa.

And commonly escaping too!

[loripo]

They are apparently beng farmed presumably as an alternative to turkey?
Helmeted Guinea Fowl:: OS grid TL2719 :: Geograph British Isles - photograph every grid square!

[tcvarlh]

Helmeted Guineafowl is right, farm bird and very useful in areas infested with ticks, they eat an immense amount daily. Flight is explosive followed by a glide. People have been known to take them walks as the birds will follow and will walk happily 10k a day. Noisy devils tho'
h

[kelz1976]

Thank you very much, it had puzzled us for a long time, it has been there for at least 2 years we believe.

kelly