The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is a tropical member of the
Pheasant family, and is widely believed to be a direct ancestor
of the domestic chicken. Recent research suggests possible
hybridisation with the Grey Junglefowl. It was first raised in
captivity at least several thousand years ago in the Indian
subcontinent, and the domesticated form has been used all around
the world as a very productive food source for both meat and
eggs. The range of the true species stretches from northeast
India (where the pure species has almost certainly been diluted
with cross breeding from domestic breeds) eastwards across
southern China and down into Malaysia, The Philippines and
Indonesia. Junglefowl are established on several of the Hawaiian
Islands, but these are feral descendents of domestic chickens.
They can also be found on Christmas Island and the Marianas.
Each of these various regions had its own subspecies. Some
examples include: G. g. gallus Indochina G. g. gallus bankiva
Java - Bankiva Fowl G. g. gallus jab