Helmeted Guineafowl

60-65 cm; span c. 95-100 cm. Unmistakable. Plump body, small head; thin neck; highly gregarious in alert, noisy groups. Plumage grey, densely mottled with white spots, grading to iridescent violet on neck and breast. Head bare except for sparse, straggly feathers on hindneck; face pale blue or whitish; cere and wattles red; bill and horny crest bone colour. Sexes alike. Immature: browner; less spotted; lacks wattles and bright colours on head and neck. Mostly terrestrial but roosts in trees. When disturbed runs strongly with head high. Whirring flight on short, broad wings.