Indian peafowl

Known for the male's long, eye-patterned train that it spreads like a fan, the Indian peafowl is one of the most spectacular birds in the world. It is India's national bird.

Lengte: 0,9–2,3 m
Gewicht: 2,5–6 kg
Levensduur in het wild: 15–20 jaar
Beschermingsstatus (IUCN): Niet bedreigd (LC)

Waarden zijn bij benadering voor volwassen dieren en verschillen per geslacht, ondersoort en populatie.

In één oogopslag

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Where does it live?It lives in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, in open forests, at the edges of farmland and near villages.
What does it eat?It is an omnivore that eats seeds, grain, fruit, insects, worms, small reptiles and even small snakes.
Behaviour and social lifePeafowl feed on the ground by day and roost in tall trees at night.
ChicksThe female usually lays 3–6 eggs in a shallow nest on the ground and incubates them alone.

Uitgebreid

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Wilde dieren zijn geen huisdieren. Vind je een gewond of jong wild dier, raak het dan niet aan en neem contact op met de plaatselijke dierenambulance of wildopvang.

In het kort

The Indian peafowl is native to India and Sri Lanka.
The male's showy "tail" is actually a train of back feathers.
Females prefer males with more impressive displays and feather patterns.
It is an omnivore that eats seeds, insects and small animals.
The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.

The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a large bird known for the male's brilliant blue neck and long, eye-spotted "tail" feathers. These long feathers are not actually the tail but covert feathers that grow from the lower back; the male spreads them like a fan to display. Females (peahens) are plainer, brownish-grey birds.

Where does it live?

It lives in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh, in open forests, at the edges of farmland and near villages. It is also kept as an ornamental bird in parks and gardens around the world.

What does it eat?

It is an omnivore that eats seeds, grain, fruit, insects, worms, small reptiles and even small snakes. It usually forages by walking on the ground.

Peafowl feed on the ground by day and roost in tall trees at night. In the breeding season, males spread and shake their trains to display to females. Their loud, piercing calls carry far and serve as alarm signals.

Chicks

The female usually lays 3–6 eggs in a shallow nest on the ground and incubates them alone. The chicks can walk and follow their mother soon after hatching.

Conservation status

The Indian peafowl is listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. It is legally protected in India, where it is the national bird. Illegal hunting and poisoning from pesticides are problems in some areas.

Fun facts

The male's long train is shed every year and grows back.
The brilliant colours in its feathers come not from pigment but from light being scattered by the feather structure.
Peafowl can fly short distances and spend the night in trees.