I would like to ask what are your thoughts and opinions on the Guineafowl Powersuit by Ranfordgallus and what advantages and disadvantages would the Powersuit have over the Guineafowl Flapper?
This is a really great design, and it matches the Wild Kratts style very well. Ranford is a very talanted artist.
Now for a brief overview of guinea fowl:
There are multiple guinea fowl species, with this particular design most closely resembling the helmeted guinea fowl (which is the same one we see in the show), although it lacks the signiture head-crest which got the species its name.
They are a gregarious species that live in flocks year-round. They eat lots of ticks (among many other things) which helps to curb the spread of tick-borne diseases. These birds spend most of their time on the ground and prefer to run rather than fly when alarmed. When they do fly, it is short-lived and they rely on gliding to cover longer distances. They have strong claws and scratch at loose soil to find food. Female guinea fowl (called hens) weigh more than males (called cocks don't laugh). Males are often aggressive toward each other, and can have bloody fights. Summer is their peak breeding season, and they tend to be monogomous. Baby guinea fowl (called keets) have rapid wing growth, which enables them to flutter onto low branches merely a week after hatching. The whole flock will help protect the keets from predators. They have been known to surround predators and attack from all sides until it gets enough and backs off. They make very loud and distinct alarm calls which alert every animal around that there is a predator nearby.
Their IUCN status is currently listed as Least Concern.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmeted_guinea_fowl
https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/birds/helmeted-guineafowl/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudZThLZR-4
https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/freeguide/keeping-guinea-fowl/#:~:text=Guineas%20are%20unable%20to%20see,broody%20on%20an%20outdoor%20nest.
Getting to experience life as a guinea fowl first-hand
Easier and more maneuverable than trying to pilot the Guineafowl Flapper
Get a closer look at guinea fowl social structure (which is, in my opinion, the most interesting thing about them)
Disadvantages of the suit:
They might get harassed or attacked by another male guinea fowl
They might get eaten by a predator like a caracal
Can't be used as a decoy like the Guineafowl Flapper can
Doesn't fly much like the Guineafowl Flapper does
Can't be piloted remotely like the Guineafowl Flapper
Doesn't have the Light-Shining Bird Beam that the Guineafowl Flapper has to see in the dark, and guinea fowl do not have night vision
Not to be a guinea fowl hater but… guinea fowl are altogether unremarkable. They have no Creature Power that another african creature doesn't have better.
You want to be a strong runner?
Ostrich, thomson's gazelle, cheetah, african wild dog.
Peregrine falcon, honey guide, honey bee.
You want to be part of a social group?
african wild dogs, lions, elephants, termites, honey bees.
You want to be a small prey animal?
Bat-eared fox, aardvark, caracal, termite, honey bee, honey guide, warthog, are all small-medium sized animals that are preyed upon by other animals.
I see no functional purpose for this suit. Especially when the Guineafowl Flapper already exists.
If I absolutely had to make an episode with guinea fowl, I would probably focus on how these birds can be surprisingly fierce despite their small size. The viscious fights between males, as well as how they might gang up on predators to defend their young.
