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The term peafowl can refer to the two species ofbird in the genusPavo of thepheasant

family,Phasianidae. The AfricanCongo Peafowlis placed in its own genus Afropavo

and is not dealt with here. Peafowl are best known for the male's extravagant tail, whichit displays as part ofcourtship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peahen[1],

though it is common to hear the female also referred to as a "peacock" or "female

peacock". The female peafowl is brown or toned grey and brown.

The two species are:

Indian Peafowl,Pavo cristatus (Asiatic)

Green Peafowl,Pavo muticus (Asiatic)

The Indian Peafowl is a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent. The peacock is

designated as the national bird ofIndia.

The Green Peafowl breeds from Burma east toJava. TheIUCN lists the Green Peafowl

as vulnerable to extinction due to hunting and a reduction in extent and quality of habitat.

Contents

[hide]

1 Taxonomy

2 Plumage

3 Behaviour

4 Diet

5 Habitat

6 Galleryo 6.1 Indian Peafowl

o 6.2 Green Peafowl

7 References

8 External links

[edit] Taxonomy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheasanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phasianidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phasianidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afropavohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-0%23cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_subcontinenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(island)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(island)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCNhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCNhttp://toggletoc%28%29/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Taxonomy%23Taxonomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Plumage%23Plumagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Behaviour%23Behaviourhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Diet%23Diethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Habitat%23Habitathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Gallery%23Galleryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Indian_Peafowl%23Indian_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Green_Peafowl%23Green_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#References%23Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#External_links%23External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Green_Peafowl_Male.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheasanthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phasianidaehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afropavohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-0%23cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_subcontinenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(island)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCNhttp://toggletoc%28%29/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Taxonomy%23Taxonomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Plumage%23Plumagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Behaviour%23Behaviourhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Diet%23Diethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Habitat%23Habitathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Gallery%23Galleryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Indian_Peafowl%23Indian_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#Green_Peafowl%23Green_Peafowlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#References%23Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#External_links%23External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=1

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Green Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl is monotypic, while the Green Peafowl has 3 subspecies,P. muticusspicifer,P. m. imperatorand the nominateP. m. muticus.[2] The two species are largely

allopatricbut will hybridize in captivity.

While the form of Green Peafowl in Yunnanis not separated taxonomically, it differs in a

few aspects from other forms, particularly in its forest-dwelling habits, an "odd, monal-like bill", a curiously long hind toe and longer, more slender wings (K. B. Woods in litt.

2000) [3]. Some have suggested this is a new subspecies.

Some pheasant breeders have suggested that the Green Peafowl may have more

subspecies.[4][5]

Peafowl have sometimes been included in a distinct family from Pheasants [6].

[edit] Plumage

Close-up of a male Indian Peafowl's plumage

The male (peacock) Indian Peafowl has iridescent blue-green or green coloured plumage.The so-called "tail" of the peacock, also termed the "train", is not the tail quill feathers

but highly elongated upper tail coverts. The train feathers have a series of eyes that are

best seen when the tail is fanned. Both species have a crest atop the head.

The female (peahen) Indian Peafowl has a mixture of dull green, brown, and grey in her

plumage. She lacks the long upper tail coverts of the male but has a crest. The female canalso display her plumage to ward off female competition or danger to her young.

The Green Peafowl is very different in appearance to the Indian Peafowl. The male has

green and gold plumage and has an erect crest. The wings are black with a sheen of blue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotypichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-1%23cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allopatrichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allopatrichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-2%23cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-3%23cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-4%23cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-5%23cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-5%23cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_featherhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pfau_imponierend.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotypichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-1%23cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allopatrichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunnanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-2%23cite_note-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-3%23cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-4%23cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-5%23cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_feather

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Unlike the Indian Peafowl, the Green Peahen is very similar to the male, only having

shorter upper tail coverts and less iridescence. It is very hard to tell a juvenile male from

an adult female.

Many of the brilliant colours of the peacock plumage are due to an opticalinterference

phenomenon (Bragg reflection) based on (nearly) periodic nanostructures found in thebarbules (fiber-like components) of the feathers.

Different colours correspond to different length scales of the periodic structures. Forbrown feathers, a mixture of red and blue is required: one colour is created by the

periodic structure, and the other is a created by a Fabry-Perot interference peak from

reflections off the outermost and innermost boundaries of the periodic structure.

Such interference-basedstructural colouris especially important in producing thepeacock's iridescent hues (which shimmer and change with viewing angle), since

interference effects depend upon the angle of light, unlike chemical pigments.

[edit] Behaviour

A rear view of an Indian Blue Peacock's tail feathers

The peafowl are forest birds that nest on the ground. ThePavo peafowl are terrestrial

feeders but roost in trees.

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Both species of Peafowl are believed to bepolygamous. However, it has been suggested

that "females" entering a male Green Peafowl's territory [7] are really his own juvenile or

subadult young (K. B. Woods in litt. 2000) and that Green Peafowl are reallymonogamous in the wild. The male peacock flares out its feathers when it is trying to get

the females attention. Those who subscribe to this notion cite the similarities between the

sexes.

During mating season they will often emit a very loud high pitched cry.

[edit] Diet

Peafowl are omnivorous and eat plant parts, flower petals, seed heads, insects and other

arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians.

In common with other members of the Galliformes, males possess metatarsal spurs or"thorns" used primarily during intraspecific fights.

[edit] Habitat

Asiatic peafowl like the Indian Blue Peafowl, and especially the Green Peafowl, occupy a

similar niche as the roadrunners,Secretary Bird, and seriemas. All of these birds hunt forsmall animals including arthropods on the ground and tall grass and minnowsin shallow

streams.

Because of human encroachment into their natural territories, peafowl and humans have

come into increasing contact. Because of their natural beauty some are reluctant to

classify the birds as pests but their presence can be dis

[edit] Indian Peafowl

An Indian Blue

Peacock's head

Shot of a white peacockIndian Blue Peacock,

male

An Indian Blue

Peahen showing her

plumage

Closeup of an The Black-Shouldered A white peacock

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamoushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-6%23cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliformeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intraspecific_antagonismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geococcyxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geococcyxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seriemahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seriemahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:White_peacock.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Dscn08507wr.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Peacock_DSC04082.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:040411.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Peahen_on_Saint_Thomas%2C_United_States_Virgin_Islands.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Oregon_zoo_peacock_male.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Peacock_00782.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PeacockHead.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamoushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl#cite_note-6%23cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galliformeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intraspecific_antagonismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geococcyxhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretary_Birdhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seriemahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropodhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnowhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peafowl&action=edit&section=7

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Indian BluePeacock's head

When it is not in

display, the long train

rests on the ground andhampers the

movements of thepeacock

Peacock was once

thought to be a distinct

subspecies, but is nowconsidered a color

mutation

showing off hisplumage

The head of a male

Indian Blue

Peacock

Male Indian Blue

Peacock at Grounds forSculptureinHamilton

Township, New Jersey

Indian Blue Peacocks as

illustrated in the First

Edition of the

EncyclopdiaBritannica

by Charles

d'Orbigney(1806

1876)

A white peacock

domesticated in

Mexico.

White peacock shot in

Sydney,Australia

Peacock seen in San

Francisco, California

[edit] Green Peafowl

Male FemaleClose-up of a female's head

Pavo muticus

muticus

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