The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), a tropical member of the Pheasant family, is the direct ancestor of the domestic chicken. It was first raised in captivity at least 5,000 years ago in southern Asia, and 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.

Distribution map

The range of the true species stretches from NE India (where the pure species has almost certainly been diluted with back-crosses from domestic breeds) eastwards across southern China and down into Malaysia and Indonesia.

Each of these various regions had its own race or subspecies such as:

• Gallus gallus gallus Indochina
• Gallus gallus bankiva Java
• Gallus gallus jabouillei Vietnam
• Gallus gallus murghi India
• Gallus gallus spadiceus Myanmar (considered by some the true ancestor of the domestic bird)

• Gallus gallus domesticus (the domestic Chicken)

Male and female birds show very strong dimorphism. Males are much larger; they have large red fleshy wattles on the head and long, bright gold and bronze feathers forming a "shawl" or "cape" over the back of the bird from the neck to the lower back. The tail is composed of long, arching feathers that initially look black but shimmer with blue, purple and green in good light. The female's plumage is typical of this family of birds in being cryptic and designed for camouflage as she alone looks after the eggs and chicks. She also (unlike female domestic chickens) has no fleshy wattles on the head.

During the breeding season, the male birds announce their presence with the well known "cock-a-doodle-doo" call. This serves both to attract potential mates and to make other male birds in the area aware of the risk of fighting a breeding competitor. The lower leg just behind and above the foot has a long spur for just this purpose.

Flight in these birds is almost purely confined to reaching their roosting areas at sunset in trees or any other high and relatively safe places free from ground predators, and for escape from immediate danger through the day.

Current research testing the genetic integrity of this species across its natural range appears to prove that the pure form is quite rare and may even be extinct, only represented in the wild by birds with various degrees of back crossing with domestic selections (breeds) of the species.

The other three members of the genus, Sri Lanka Junglefowl Gallus lafayetii, Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii and the Green Junglefowl Gallus varius do not produce fertile hybrids with the Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus, proving it to be the sole ancestor of the domestic chicken.

External Photo Image Links:

• Male in resplendent pose
• Excellent profile shot of male bird
• Profile of female bird
• Female bird