Introduction
As pure red junglefowl, Gallus gallus become increasingly rare both in captivity and in the wild, characteristics have been noted for distinguishing hybrid birds from pure individuals. The following traits are typical of genetically pure Indian red junglefowl, Gallus gallus murghi, one of the five races of red junglefowl. Hybrid birds may possess some of these traits and pure birds may sometimes lack some of these qualities due to natural variation. However, in the general these are several of the physical and behavioral characteristics used to determine the degree of genetic purity among this subspecies. One should also consider that most of these characteristics may be used in assessing the other races of the species; however for this case murghi is the species of focus.

This article is

published (without photographs) in the

April 2006 American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society Magazine. Check out the APWS website

 at www.apws.org

Female Indian red junglefowl. Photograph taken by: Matt Tuttle

I. Absence of Combs & Wattles (Females)
Unlike their domestic counterpart pure Indian red junglefowl females lack the comb and wattles found in nearly all domestic chickens. Occasionally small bump like protrusions can be located, but only by close examination. Males on the other hand have a small, single bladed comb with the number of spikes varying among individuals. Studies have been conducted by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. to determine if the absence of a comb and wattles on female birds is an accurate indicator of genetic purity. In his studies Dr. Brisbin crossed genetically pure birds with domestic bantams. The result, all hybrid hens had small but clearly visible combs and wattles, and despite generations of backcrossing to pure junglefowl these facial features persisted (Brisbin, personal communication, n.d.). Although this is an isolated experiment, it is clear that this trait is a relatively accurate method of judging the purity of a female individual, or a population where this trait exists.

II. Eclipse Plumage (Both sexes)
Typically occurring from June to September, this annual moult affects both the male and female Indian red junglefowl. The reddish-orange to golden hackle feathers typical of males disappear, giving way to short, dark hackle feathers. In the female birds the new plumage isn’t as drastic and most often barely discernible from their typical plumage (Brisbin & Peterson, 1997, para. 7). This method is now widely used, by many individuals, as a fail safe indicator of genetic purity; however according to Dr. I Lehr Brisbin Jr., “the persistence of eclipse plumage after initial hybridization cannot be ruled out” (Brisbin, personal communication, n.d.). He also notes that it’s clear that this trait is lost after repeated hybridization.

A Trio of Indian red junglefowl in eclipse plumage. Photograph taken by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr.

Two adult male Indian red junglefowl in normal breeding plumage. Note the horizontal tail carriage of both these birds. Photograph taken by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr.

III. Low Tail Carriage (Both sexes)
Both male and female Indian red junglefowl have a particularly low tail carriage while domestic fowl and hybrid red junglefowl in contrast, tend to have high arching sickle feathers. To my knowledge, no formal studies have been done on this matter and this is a less effective method of distinguishing hybrids from pure individuals. When assessing the genetics of a particular population this trait is best used in accumulation with others and has little value if used alone.

IV. Generally Wild & Skittish Behavior (Both sexes)
Truly wild red junglefowl of any race are very skittish in nature. Unlike hybrid birds, pure Indian red junglefowl are difficult to keep in captivity due to their extreme wariness. Public zoos have attempted to keep and breed genetically pure individuals and have given up in their efforts. Due to their nature, Wayne Hawkins stated, “they could certainly NEVER be kept in any kind of public display in which strange observers would constantly be passing by their pen” (Hawkins, n.d., para. 5). Even in spacious and secluded aviaries, with regular keepers, pure red junglefowl become quite distressed in the presence of humans. In the wild birds are also skittish and difficult to observe, most sneaking off on foot without one even noticing.

A male Indian red junglefowl running for cover. Photograph taken by: Tomas Condon

Click here to download audio clips of red junglefowl!

V. Abbreviated Crowing Vocalization (Males)
The crow of a male red junglefowl resembles an incomplete call of a domestic rooster. They have a raspy, high pitched, abrupt crow with syllables that tend to run together. The third syllable in the call sequence is certainly the most lengthy and pronounced. Although natural variation and vocal differences among individuals is certain, to the trained ear the varying degree of domestic influence is perceivable.

VI. Leg Color (Both sexes)
The majority of red junglefowl in the pure form have slender, powerful legs. According to Dr. Brisbin, typically leg shanks and feet are dark slate to “dusky blackish” in color, compared to the ranging colors and shades of hybrid red junglefowl and domestic chickens (Brisbin & Peterson, 1997, para. 8). Wild caught individuals have also been reported to have light brown legs as well (Brisbin & Peterson, 1997, para. 8). These findings show the variation of color even among wild individuals, however one cannot rule out that this variation is in fact a result of genetic contamination. This is certainly a good trait to analyze in accumulation with other factors but holds little significance if used alone.

Male Indian red junglefowl.
Photograph taken by: Matt Tuttle  

Males
Weight: 1.8-2.2 lbs / 1.5-2.0 lbs
Body length: 25.0" - 28.2"
Wing length: 7.9" - 9.5"
Tail length: 11.7" - 14.8"

Females
Weight: 1.1-1.6 lbs
Body length: 16.5" - 18.25"
Wing length: 6.9" - 7.6"
Tail length: 5.7" - 6.4"

VII. Measurements & Weights (Both sexes)
It is quite obvious that in general, hybrid red junglefowl are considerably larger than genetically pure individuals. Although it is unclear if measurements have ever been obtained from pure Indian red junglefowl in captivity or in the wild, several sources provide information on both body measurements and average weighs of this species. The following weights and measurements were found in The Pheasants of The World: Biology and Natural History by Paul A. Johnsgaurd (1999) and in the document “Red Junglefowl and Kalij Pheasants” by Dr. Gardiner Bump and Wayne H. Bohl (1961).

Resources

Brisbin, I.L., Jr. (1997). Feathersite. Concerns for the Genetic Integrity and Conservation Status of the Red Junglefowl. Retrieved March 6, 2003, from http://www.feathersite.com//Poultry/NDG/RJFbySPPA.html

Bump, G. & W.H. Bohl, (September 1961). Red Junglefowl and Kalij Pheasants. U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Special Scientific Report, Wildlife No. 62.

Hawkins, W.P. (n.d.). Carolinas/Virginia Pheasant & Waterfowl Society. Red Junglefowl – Pure Stain. Retrieved July 18, 2003, from http://www.cvpws.com/junglefowl.htm

Johnsgard, Paul A. (1999). The pheasants of the world: Biology and natural history (2nd ed.).Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.