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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
Indian
peafowl, common peafowl |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Galliformes |
| FAMILY: |
Phasianidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Pavo
(peacock) cristatus (crested) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
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| MALE |
The
cock 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. |
| FEMALE |
The
hen has a chestnut-brown crest and neck with feathers
bordered in bronze and green. |
|
| SIZE: |
|
| MALE |
Total
body length is approximately 2.3 meters (7.5 ft.);
the train is 1.4-1.6 m (4.62-5.28 feet) long and
accounts for more than 60% of total body length |
| FEMALE |
Females
are smaller than males |
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| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
2.75-4.0 kg (6.05-8.8 lb) |
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| DIET: |
Includes
grains, insects, small reptiles, small mammals,
berries, drupes, wild figs, and some cultivated
crops |
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| INCUBATION: |
Approximately
28 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
3-12
eggs |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
2-3 years |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
Approximately
20-24 years |
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| RANGE: |
Eastern
Pakistan through India, south from the Himalayas
to Sri Lanka |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
open forests, stream-side forests, orchards, and
other cultivated areas |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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| 1. |
In
1963, the peafowl was declared the national bird
of India because of its rich religious and legendary
involvement in Indian traditions.
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| 2. |
Hindus
consider this bird to be sacred because the god
Kartikeya rides on its back. Legend also says the
peafowl is able to charm snakes and addle their
eggs! |
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| 3. |
In
Greek mythology, the peacock's ornate train became
a famous tail! The goddess Hera had a faithful servant
named Argus. He had numerous eyes all over his body.
When Hermes killed her watchful servant, Hera took
Argus's eyes and placed them on the tail of the
peacock to honor his memory. |
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| 4. |
Males
are called peacocks, females are peahens, and young
are known as peachicks. |
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| 5. |
This
bird is one of the most recognizable birds in the
world! |
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| 6. |
Male
Indian peafowl are polygamous, mating with many
females during a breeding season. The males establish
breeding territories known as a lek. When
time to breed, female wander through many male's
territories, sometimes making repeated visits, before
selecting a male. The males do not help to raise
the young. |
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| Although
peafowl were once common in Bangladesh, now they
may be extinct in that country. Because of its appearance,
this bird was taken worldwide! Early seafarers decided
to bring the peafowl to their homelands in other
parts of the western world. This method seems to
have saved the bird from complete extinction. Traders
in the year 1000 B.C. introduced the birds to present-day
Syria and the Egyptian pharaohs. Alexander the Great
imported more of the birds into his Mediterranean
domains and severely penalized anyone caught harming
them. Peafowl were a status symbol through Roman
times and the Middle Ages, ensuring their establishment
and survival throughout Europe. Fortunately, such
a long and close association with humans has given
peafowls an excellent chance of survival. |
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|
|
|
Delacour,
J. The Pheasants of the World. 2nd ed.
World Pheasant Association and Spur Publications,
Hindhead, U.K. 1977.
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|
|
Gotch,
A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
Poole, Dorst: Blandford Press, 1981.
|
|
| Perrins,
Dr. Christopher M. The Illustrated Encyclopedia
of Birds: The Definitive Reference to Birds of the
World. New York: Prentice Hall Press. 1990. |
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| http://www.denverzoo.org/animalsplants/birds/birds_others/Indian_Peafowl/indian_peafowl.htm |
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| http://natzoo.si.edu/zooview/exhibits/birdhs/peafowl.htm |
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