Since the early 1990s WPA has worked with the Species Survival Commission of IUCN-The World Conservation Union (with the support of BirdLife International) as parents of five Galliformes Specialist Groups. Every one of the 300 or so species is covered by a Specialist Group, which act as invaluable networks of key technical expertise on all aspects of Galliformes conservation. Currently there are 350 members in 38 countries. One of their key functions is to produce Status Survey and Conservation Action Plans. To find out more about these plans follow the links for each Specialist Group below.

Grey peacock pheasant © Gerald Cubitt

 

Cracids
There are about 50 species of cracid (curassow, guan and chachalaca) that occur in Central and South America, of which 15 are threatened (and one extinct in the wild) and seven are near-threatened. They are large, gregarious gamebirds and many have striking colours. Historically, they have been important, but sustainable, sources of protein for American Indians, but now widespread habitat loss and over-hunting has left them amongst the most threatened birds on the continent. They occur from southern Texas south to the Paraná Delta of central Argentina and Uruguay.

Grouse
Grouse, of which there are 18 or so species, have long attracted and fascinated people: certainly their dramatic courtship display behaviour is incredible to watch, but also in hunting, the grouse is a fast and resourceful bird. Overall, they have the most northerly distribution of all the gamebirds, occurring throughout northern Asia, Europe and the Americas. Three species are considered threatened and one too poorly known to judge. A further three have been evaluated as Near-threatened. These species are the responsibility of the Grouse Specialist Group.

Megapodes
The 22 species of megapodes are sometimes known as thermometer birds or incubator birds because of their habit of laying eggs in the ground and then leaving them. The eggs are incubated by volcanic heat, the heat of sand or the warmth from decaying vegetation and when the young hatch they burrow out and immediately fend for themselves. They live in South East Asia and Australasia and several species are restricted to very small islands. Their eggs are widely collected for food and, as with cracids, traditional sustainable collection is being replaced by widespread over-collecting. Nine species are considered threatened and one Near-threatened. These species are the responsibility of the Megapode Specialist Group.

Pheasants
As well as the ring-necked or game pheasant that is familiar to many people in Europe and North America, there are another 50 or so species of pheasant. Most are confined to Asia, from where the ring-necked pheasant originated, although there is one pheasant in Africa - the magnificent Congo peacock that lives in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining areas. Some of the most spectacular of all bird species, they are also alarmingly threatened, with 24 of the species thought to be at risk of extinction and nine are Near-threatened. These species are the responsibility of the Pheasant Specialist Group.

Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Guineafowl and Turkeys
All other Galliformes are included in this group, which is therefore very diverse. They can be found throughout the world and typically have large distribution ranges. Many of the 140 species have broad habitat requirements and so seem to be more adaptable to habitat change than other Galliformes species. Consequently, there is a relatively small number of birds that are threatened (23 species) when compared with other Galliformes, but this is still a higher proportion than the global average of 12% for birds worldwide. Eleven are Near-threatened. These species are the responsibility of the Partridge, Quail and Francolin Specialist Group.