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About Indian Peafowl (Click-Readmore)


Indian Peafowl

Scientific name: Pavo cristatus
Family: Phasianidae
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Lifespan: 10 – 25 years (In the wild)
Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable)

Indian peafowl are a species in a group of birds called pheasants. The males are called peacocks, while the females are called peahens. Together, they are peafowl.

Description

The male peafowl has a fan-shaped crest, a metallic blue head, and a bright blue neck and upper body. The tail has long, ornamental feathers (not true tail feathers but elongated upper tail coverts) with black eye-spots on the rounded tips. The female peafowl has a chestnut-brown crest and neck with feathers bordered in bronze and green.

Habitat

Indian peafowl are native to India and Sri Lanka, in South Asia. Inhabits open forests, stream-side forests, orchards, and other cultivated areas.

Behaviour

Indian blue peafowl prefer a mostly solitary and isolated lifestyle. During the breeding season, a male will defend its territory and females will seek them out as mates. A single male can have a harem of six females. Outside of the breeding season, females live alone or with other females in groups of 2 or 3. Males also can live in small groups with other males or alone. This species is very cautious and always alert to spot any potential danger. Its head is always moving about, searching its surroundings for any predators.

Diet

Indian blue peafowl are omnivorous. They consume insects, worms, lizards, frogs, and snakes. Termites are their food of choice. They also feed on tree and flower buds, petals, grain, and grass and bamboo shoots. It is also reliant on an abundance of water for survival.

Reproduction

This species becomes sexually mature at three years, though some males can breed at age 2. Females will lay 3-5 brownish oval eggs, but in some cases have laid up to 12. The eggs are laid one at a time every other day. Their glossy shells have deep, small pores that let in water to keep it moist. The incubation period lasts up to 28 days. The nest is made up of dry sticks and leaves, and is located on the ground, under shrubs.