Animal Profiles
Birds

Chicken

Gallus gallus domesticus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The domestic chicken is a social ground-feeding bird descended chiefly from red junglefowl. Selective breeding has produced a wide variety of sizes and plumage.

Gallus gallus domesticus

Andrei Niemimäki from Turku, Finland · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Domestic flocks occur worldwide; wild red junglefowl originate in southern and southeastern Asia.
Habitat
Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Seeds, other plant foods, insects and small invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Chicken
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Gallus gallus domesticus
Taxon rank
form
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Gallus
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Chickens scratch the ground while foraging.
  • They eat both plant and animal foods.
  • Social groups develop pecking orders.

Habitat and range

Domestic flocks occur worldwide; wild red junglefowl originate in southern and southeastern Asia.

Appearance and adaptations

A beak, strong scratching feet and feathered body suit ground-level foraging. Combs and wattles are often more prominent in males.

Diet and behaviour

Chickens scratch and peck while searching for food. Social flocks develop pecking orders, and hens may incubate eggs and guide chicks.

Sources

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