Small grouse of spruce forests and taiga of the Old World. Elusive and hard to locate in the understory of the forest, from where males sing a high-pitched goldcrest-like whistle. I have observed this species in the forests of Finland.

Grouse of barren mountain tops from the Pyrenees and Alps to the Eurasian and North American Arctic. All-white winter plumage blends in with the snow, as is typical of ptarmigans. I have observed this species in Finnish Lapland.

Grouse of dwarf willow shrublands and tundra throughout the Arctic. The call of the species is a characteristic funny nasal laugh. I have seen this species in Finnish Lapland.

The largest grouse of the boreal forests of the Old World, from Northern Spain to Scandinavia to the Central Asian forests. While they defend their displaying leks, males can chase away big animals, including hikers. I have observed this species in the forests of Finland.

Beautiful grouse of boreal forests of the Old World. Males display in leks on bogs and forest clearings, fanning their lyre-shaped tail and delivering churring calls. I have enjoyed displaying males in leks in Finnish forests, and rarely found individuals crossing roads.

Native to shrubland and cropland of Central to East Asia but widely introduced throughout Europe and North America. The species is commonly farmed for hunting, but the male tail feathers and the meat have also been traditionally used.

Localized in the Indochinese Peninsula, where it inhabits lowland and foothill broadleaf forests. Both sexes have intricate, attractive plumages and red facial bare skin, with males developing caruncles. It is Thailand’s National Bird and featured in local folklore. I observed this species from a hide in the rainforest of Vietnam.

Originally endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, but kept in captivity due to its ornamental value and released in many regions worldwide. The male’s extremely long and colorful tail coverts (trains) have puzzled evolutionary biologists for centuries, and given rise to the theory of sexual selection. I saw good numbers of this species in India, where they signaled the presence of predators.

Large pheasant found in Indochina to Myanmar and Java. Despite formerly widespread throughout Southeast Asia, now this species is confined to few open forest and savannah areas and classified as endangered. Both peahen and peacock are green in color and sport an upright crest. I have observed this species in a grassland area in Vietnam.

Found in lowland and foothill forests of Indochina. Very vocal but skittish as many other forest gamebirds. Also known as scaly-breasted partridge. I have connected with this species on the rainforest of Vietnam, only managing views from a hide.

Endemic to lowland dipterocarp forests of the Sabah state in northern Borneo, where it is localized, uncommon and near threatened. Loud duet calls resonate in the forest. Some individuals are habituated to human presence within their range, allowing close looks in the open.

Range-restricted peacock-pheasant endemic to forests in the southernmost edge of the Annamite Range, between Vietnam and Cambodia. Uncommon and extremely shy, currently listed as vulnerable. The hides in Cat Tien, Vietnam are the best shot to try to connect with this species.

Found in woodlands from eastern India throughout Southeast Asia to Indonesia. This is the main ancestor of domestic chicken, which were initially domesticated ca. 8,000 years ago. While chicken have colonized all continents thanks to human, red junglefowl have also been established out of their range in many regions, such as in Singapore. I have seen wild junglefowl in Vietnam or Thailand.

Junglefowl endemic to south, western and Central India, where it occurs in a variety of woodlands. Similar to domestic chicken, being one of its wild ancestors along with the red junglefowl and other relatives. I have seen small parties of this species in open forests of Kerala and Karnataka, India.

Small francolin endemic to the Indian Subcontinent and beyond in coastal Iran. Populations of introduced birds derived from hunting activity have established in the Persian Gulf and islands on the Indian and Pacific Oceans. I have observed this species in Mauritius, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Endemic to the Maghreb, where it inhabits dry slopes and montane scrub from Morocco to Libya, where the distinct Cyrenaica form barbata occurs. The species has been introduced to Sardinia, Gibraltar and the Canary Islands. I have observed this species hiding in the vegetation of a wadi in the Spanish African enclave of Ceuta.

Endemic to Western Europe with strongholds in the Iberian Peninsula and extending in low densities to France and Italy, where it occurs in most open habitats. Large introduced populations exist in Great Britain, Macaronesia and elsewhere. This species is a common resident in the countryside and cropland areas of Alicante.

Large francolin found in Eastern Africa, where it inhabits arid savanna and open grasslands from Eritrea to Tanzania. Loud, often calling from exposed perches such as termite mounds. Unique among relatives due to its characteristic yellow gular skin. I have observed this species in the savanna in Kenya.