Indian peafowl

Pavo cristatus

The Indian peafowl lives on the ground and is omnivorous. In the wild, it is found in the dense rain forests of Nepal, India and the island of Sri Lanka.
The males’ exuberant plumage has made the peafowl a domesticated species for many years, and today it can often be seen in parks and gardens all over the world.

Breeding program

EPP - Zoo Barcelona

Natural habit

India and Sri Lanka.

Indian peafowl
  • Distribution / Resident
  • Breeding
  • Wintering
  • Subspecies

Risk level

  • Extint
  • Extint in the wild
  • Critically endangered
  • In Danger
  • Vulnerable
  • Near threatened
  • Minor concern
  • Insufficient data
  • Not evaluated
Least Concern

Taxonomy

Class
Aves
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae

Physical characteristics

2,7-6
Birth Weight:
90 - 230
More than 15 years

Biology

Habitat
Jungle
Social life
Gregarious
Feeding
Omnivorous

Reproduction

Gestation
28-30
Days
Baby
3 a 9

Discover how they are

Biology

Description

Its sexual dimorphism is extremely prominent as the male has colourful and eye-catching plumage with iridescent blue, bright green, orange and dark stripes, an extremely long tail that it unfolds vertically during the mating ritual to attract females. Conversely, the females have brown discrete plumage.

Habitat

It is found in the wild only in the dense rainforests of India and on the island of Sri Lanka.

Feeding

It is an omnivore and feeds on a wide range of foods, which it can take from different sources.

Reproduction

The breeding season varies depending on wet and dry periods. It is basically polygamous and males tend to keep harems with at least two females. The males congregate together in specific areas, called leks, to compete and entice passing females to join them. They tend to lay three to six eggs that are incubated for 28 to 30 days. Only the female incubates the eggs in the shrubs or undergrowth, safe thanks to her cryptic and discrete colouring.

Conduct

The Indian peafowl has terrestrial habits and only makes small flights, due to how heavy it is, when it has to flee from predators. It is quite common for it to spend in the night in the tops of the trees, which are quite difficult for them to climb.

Status and conservation programs

Given the splendid and beautiful plumage of the males, the species has been domesticated for centuries and today they can be seen embellishing parks and gardens around the world. There is a large population that moves freely around the grounds at the Barcelona Zoo.