Chickens, like many other bird species are still being researched and new studies change our views of them. ====== Chickens ====== ====== Basic info ====== Chickens are domesticated descendants of Red Junglefowl (//Gallus gallus domesticus//) which are a species of Land-fowl native to South-Eastern Asia. They fulfill the role of herbivorous insectivore in their native range and have a lot of Predators. ====== Red Junglefowl ====== Red Junglefowl, unlike their domesticated descendants (some of which can't fly at all), can fly for extended periods of time. Red Junglefowl have 5 subspecies aside from the domestic chicken. They reproduce during the summer and eggs hatch after 21 days. Chicks fledge in about 4-5 weeks and at 12 weeks, are chased out of the group by their mom. ====== Behavior ====== Chickens have incredibly diverse behavior that can be described as bipolar. Chickens are predators by nature and will gang up on weak or inexperienced predators, some sources describe hens killing young foxes. aside from their defensive nature, studies have shown chickens can be empathetic towards other chickens. ====== Taxonomy ====== **Kingdom:** Animalia **Phylum:** Chordata **Class:** Aves **Order:** Galliformes **Family:** Phasianidae **Genus:** //Gallus// **Species:** //Gallus gallus// **Sub-species:** //Gallus gallus domesticus// ====== Ducks ====== ====== Basic Info ====== Domestic Ducks are domesticated descendants of Mallards (except for Moscovy ducks). Domestic ducks, like chickens can't fly for extended periods of time. ===== Mallard ===== Mallards are a species of duck that can be found throughout temperate and Subtropical Americas, Eurasia and North Africa. They are easily distinguishable for their orange legs, green iridescent heads in males and orange beaks in females. Ducklings are able to swim when they hatch.