There are five families in this order and over 250 species. These birds are chicken-like in shape. They range in size from small to large; have plump, pear-shaped bodies; rounded wings; small bills; and small, round heads. Some species, like the turkey, have wattles on their necks.

They can be found around the world except for in Antarctica and they live in a wide variety of habitats including forests, deserts, and grasslands.

They eat a variety of foods including: plants, seeds, leaves, insects, lizards, worms, and rodents. Many of the species in this order have been domesticated, others are hunted as game birds.