Bird · GBIF taxon 9451184
Pavo cristatus
pavo cristatusAlso known as Blue Peafowl, Common Peafowl, Indian Peacock
Indian peafowl are large ground-dwelling birds renowned for the male's iridescent blue neck and spectacular train of eye-spotted feathers. During courtship displays, males fan their metallic green and bronze coverts while vibrating the plumes to create rustling visual and acoustic signals. Native to open forests and farmlands across South Asia, they spend nights roosting high in tree canopies to escape predators.
DiurnalIridescentGround Bird
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Seeds
- Small snakes
Predators
- Tigers
- Leopards
- Jackals
ThreatsHabitat loss, poaching for feathers, and agricultural pesticide exposure
HabitatsDeciduous forests, scrublands, agricultural borders, and urban parks
Life span15 to 20 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderGalliformes
- FamilyPhasianidae
- GenusPavo
- Speciespavo cristatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- May peck or strike with leg spurs if cornered; keep a respectful distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Males possess sharp tarsal spurs on their legs that can inflict deep puncture wounds or scratches when defending territory.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for prominent spiky spurs protruding from the back of the legs on adult males.
- What to do
- Keep a respectful distance and avoid cornering displaying or nesting birds.
Responsible observation
- Give Space: Maintain a comfortable distance, especially during breeding season when males display.
- Avoid Feeding: Refrain from offering human food to prevent habituation and aggressive begging behavior.
- Listen for Calls: Listen for their loud, trumpet-like alarm calls to spot roosting birds high in the canopy.
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