Peafowl Peacock

Peafowl is the term given to two species of bird which are members of the pheasant family. The
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a native bird to the Indian subcontinent and the Green
Peafowl (Pavo muticus) breeds from east Burma to Java. Males are known as ‘Peacocks’ and
females as ‘Peahens’.
The Peacock is the national bird of India. Peacocks are well known for their magnificent,
beautiful tail feather displays during courtship.

PEAFOWL DESCRIPTION
 
the Peacocks brilliant ‘train’ contains over 200 shimmering feathers, each one decorated with
eyespots. The male Indian Peacock has iridescent coloring of blue and green on its head, neck
and breast. Their long ‘trains’ are not the tail quill feathers but elongated upper tail feather
coverts. The train is bronze and green and has a series of ‘eyes’ which are more prominent
when the tail is fanned.

HABITAT
Peafowl are mainly ground-dwelling birds preferring forests and farmland. They can also be
found in bushlands and rainforests. Many will nest on the ground while some will roost in trees.

DIET
Peafowl are omnivores and their diet consists of plants and flower petals, seeds, ants, termites,
ticks and locust. They will also eat small reptiles such as young Cobra snakes, arthropods and
amphibians.

Info
The tail length of the male Peafowl can be 4 – 5 feet.
Peacocks weigh 9 – 13 pounds and Peahens weigh 6 – 9 pounds
Peahens generally reach breeding age at around 2 years, Peacocks at around 3 years.
Peahens lay 6 – 12 brownish