Guineafowl hunting in South Africa

Guineafowl are gregarious birds often occurring in large flocks. Two species occur in South Africa, the most commonly hunted fowl being the highly adaptable Helmeted Guineafowl found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, savannahs, and woodlands and thrive in both rural and urban environments. The Crested Guineafowl prefers the forests, thickets and riverine areas in far northeastern parts of the country. Helmeted Guineafowl is a chicken size bird with blue-grey colouring and white speckled appearance. Most notably their heads are adorned with a bony, helmet-like structure, from which they derive their name. Guineafowl plays a crucial ecological role in South Africa by controlling insect populations. They feed on a variety of insects, including ticks, grasshoppers, termites, and beetles, which helps regulate their numbers and prevent crop damage. They are fast-flying and popularly hunted for the pot with gun dogs and some outfitters organise driven hunts. Both species may be hunted. However, Crested Guineafowl is only hunted by collectors. Helmeted Guineafowl are not currently considered globally threatened and are classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).