English: SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pavo cristatus

FAMILY NAME: Phasianidae HABITAT: Grassland, Forest

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 Indian Peafowl is the National Bird of India where this superb bird is sacred and very prominent in mythology and folklore of Indian people. Several legends tell numerous wonderful stories about this beautiful bird. Thanks to its beauty and popularity, the species has been protected both in its native and introduced ranges. Very common in India, the Indian Peafowl is found in almost all villages and protected under Indian Wildlife Protection act, 1972.

Male is named peacock, female is peahen and chick is peachick. Adult male has glossy cobalt-blue head, neck, upper mantle and breast. On the back, the center is glossy green with scaled effect. The upperwing shows chestnut primary flight feathers and black secondaries. Wing coverts are black finely vermiculated white. The long uppertail coverts form the train during the spring and all the breeding season. These feathers show ornamental eye-spot and disintegrated barbs at tip. These barbs give a fluffy appearance when the male fans its tail. On the contrary, the rectrices are duller and shorter

On the head, the bare skin is white, forming an oval line around the eyes. We can see a conspicuous crest of several fine feathers ending in blue-green fan. The strong bill is grey with white spot at base. Eyes are dark brown. Legs and feet are pinkish, with feathered chestnut thighs. There is one spur on the rear of the leg. After the breeding season, the male moults and its train disappears until the next spring.

HABITAT: The Indian Peafowl favors open forest with riparian undergrowth, and wooded areas along streams. But this species is also found in orchards and cultivated areas near human habitations. It usually prefers moist and dry deciduous woodlands near water. The Indian Peafowl can be seen up to 2000 metres of elevation.

BEHAVIOR: The Indian Peafowl is omnivorous, feeding on grain, insects, small reptiles and mammals. It also takes berries, wild figs and green crops. It forages in early morning and late afternoon in cultivated areas and fallow land. It can be seen in small groups. Outside the breeding season, there are only males, whereas during the nuptial period, it forages with females and young.

FLIGHT: The Indian Peafowl can fly, in spite of the long train. But as most of Phasianids, it prefers to walk, climb or even run to escape a danger.

DIET: The Indian Peafowl is omnivorous, feeding on plant matter, insects, small snakes and mammals, berries, some fruits and green crops. It forages in small groups in cultivated areas.

Sources :

HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD Vol 2 by Josep del Hoyo-Andrew Elliot-Jordi Sargatal - Lynx Edicions - ISBN: 8487334156

Citation: Hennache, A. & Ottaviani, M. (2005). Monographie des faisans, volume 1. Edition W.P.A. France, Clères, France. ISBN: 2-9512467-1-4

Citation: Hennache, A. & Ottaviani, M. (2006). Monographie des faisans, volume 2. Edition W.P.A. France, Clères, France.ISBN: 2-9512467-2-2

"Les auteurs renoncent à leurs droits d'auteurs pour que la vente de cet ouvrage, publié par la World Pheasant Association, soit destinée à soutenir des projets de conservation."