
Green Junglefowl
Gallus varius
An Indonesian junglefowl covered in glossy, scale-patterned green-black feathers, with a rounded, multicolored comb unlike any other junglefowl species.
- Feather type
- Short, rounded, scale-like iridescent body feathers
- Colours
- Iridescent green, black, and blue
- Bird size
- Medium, male ~55-60 cm
Found a feather like this?
Identify any feather from a photo, free.
Overview
The Green Junglefowl, also known as the Javan Junglefowl, is found on Java, Bali, and neighboring Indonesian islands. It differs notably from its junglefowl relatives in feather shape: rather than long, pointed hackles, males have short, rounded, scale-like feathers over the neck and body with a strong iridescent green-black sheen, paired with a distinctive single-lobed comb showing patches of red, yellow, and blue.
Identifying the Feather
- Neck and body feathers (male): short, rounded, scale-like in shape rather than the long pointed hackles of other junglefowl, with a glossy green-black iridescence.
- Comb: single-lobed and multicolored, showing red, yellow, and blue patches—unlike the simple red combs of other junglefowl.
- Tail: shorter and less exaggerated than in Red or Grey Junglefowl.
- Female plumage: duller brown and buff mottling, cryptic for camouflage.
- Overall sheen: the male's body feathers show a scaled, almost reptilian iridescent texture distinct from any other junglefowl.
Plumage & Molt
Males develop their glossy, scale-patterned plumage and multicolored comb after maturing, while females stay cryptically colored throughout the year. Juveniles resemble females until males acquire adult feathering. A single complete molt occurs annually.
Habitat & Range
This species is found on Java, Bali, and other nearby Indonesian islands, inhabiting forest, forest edge, and scrub, including coastal habitats in some areas. It is non-migratory, remaining resident within its island range year-round.
Behavior & Field Notes
Green Junglefowl forage on the ground for seeds, fruit, and invertebrates, often near forest edges and even beach scrub in some populations. Males give a distinctive crowing call, shorter and more clipped than that of other junglefowl, and defend territories with a few females. Nests are shallow ground scrapes hidden in dense cover. The species roosts in trees at night.
Frequently asked questions
How do Green Junglefowl feathers differ from other junglefowl?
Males have short, rounded, scale-like feathers with a glossy green-black iridescence, rather than the long pointed hackles seen in Red or Grey Junglefowl.
What does the Green Junglefowl's comb look like?
It is single-lobed and multicolored, showing patches of red, yellow, and blue, unlike the plain red combs of related species.
Where is the Green Junglefowl found?
Java, Bali, and neighboring Indonesian islands, in forest and scrub habitat.
Is the Green Junglefowl the same species as the domestic chicken's ancestor?
No, the domestic chicken descends mainly from the Red Junglefowl; the Green Junglefowl is a separate, more distantly related species.
Green Junglefowl guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Green Junglefowl.
Other feathers you may enjoy

Ring-necked Pheasant
Body (contour), tail, and wing feathers

Bornean Peacock-pheasant
Contour and tail feathers with iridescent ocelli

Crested Argus
Extremely elongated, ocellated (eyespot-patterned) tail feathers among the longest of any bird; tall, erectile crest

Grey Partridge
Body and flank feathers

Willow Ptarmigan
Larger, stockier body feathers with warmer rufous tones in summer; tail feathers black year-round

Wild Turkey
Broad, iridescent body feathers and large flight and tail feathers

Bulwer's Pheasant
Contour feathers and elongated white tail feathers

Red-legged Partridge
Flank, body, and flight feathers

White-tailed Ptarmigan
Small body feathers with a tail that stays pure white year-round, unlike other ptarmigan

Edwards's Pheasant
Contour and tail feathers

Sooty Grouse
Dense, plain contour feathers with a pale-tipped, fanned tail

Snow Partridge
Finely vermiculated barred contour feathers