Domesticated Fowl

The sundrenched farm is alight with the sounds of roosters and hens as they begin their day. Caught in the middle of the chatter, they greet one another with frenzied delight. There is a feeling of familiarity on the farm as the day settles in amongst the fowl. Fowl are birds belonging to one of two biological orders, namely the game fowl or land fowl.(Galliformes) and the waterfowl (Anseriformes). Studies of anatomical and molecular similarities suggest these two groups are close evolutionary relatives; together, they form the fowl clade which is scientifically known as Galloanserae (initially termed Galloanseri). This clade is also supported by morphological and DNA sequence data as well as retrotransposon presence/absence data.