Guinea fowl have a very unique way of dealing with threats.
The form a phalanx and go after it!
I should note that this phalanx is usually quite noisy. Guinea fowl are among the noisiest of all poultry.
I’ve seen these birds form this chattering phalanx against dogs they deem a threat.
I assume they do the same to leopards and jackals in Africa.
I would think that leopards and jackals might consider it the equivalent of home pizza delivery, though I could be completely wrong about that, not knowing anything about guinea fowl. I note the chickens in the picture are not as ‘chicken’ as one might usually suppose, seemingly making special friends with the tough boys in playground.
Actually, this “mobbing” behavior is very effective in repelling predators of all kinds. I can always tell when there’s a hawk or owl roosting in our area by the mobbing cries of the crows. Baboons, chimps and other primates also employ this kind of defensive behavior.
One of my friends has guinea fowl on her horse farm. They are nature’s best tick (and other bug) disposal and make formidable watch “dogs”. Between them and her donkey nothing predatory gets around on the property without anyone knowing about it.
One little thing about them, and I know from personal experience.
If you have neighbors nearby, don’t get them.
They make far more noise than you could possibly imagine a bird making.
So do their kin, the Peacocks.
They will also form a phalanx around a child trying to get to a 4H meeting. Can be scary.
Are these your birds?
No it made the rounds on Facebook a while back.