The World Pheasant Association (WPA) was founded in 1975 with an aim to develop and promote the conservation of all the species within the order of the Galliformes, otherwise known as the gamebirds of the world. Apart from pheasants, this also includes partridges, grouse, quail, francolins, megapodes and cracids, some of which are the most beautiful, yet threatened, birds in the world.

The parent body of the WPA is based in the United Kingdom and can be found at www.pheasant.org.uk.

Australia has only 3 native species of Galliforme all of which are megapodes: The Orange-footed Scrubfowl, The Australian Brush-turkey and the Malleefowl. There are numerous exotic speices of Galliformes held by aviculturist in Australia.

The aim of the Australian Chapter of the WPA is to showcase and support the research being carried out on Galliformes in this region and also to examin the status of the exotic populations held by aviculturists here.