Indian Blue Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Galliformes
FAMILY: Phasianidae
SIZE:
Male approximately 4 - 5 feet from head to top of tail;
female is smaller -- weighs approximately 8 lbs.
RANGE:
India and Ceylon
DIET:
Wild - Grain, grasses, insects
Zoo - Grain mixture, some meat
FACTS:
Often raised as ornamental fowl
Male called peacock and known for great beauty; spreads its feathers in great gold, blue and green colored fan to attract females (courtship ritual)
Female is called peahen; emale is less colorful (no bright blue and green tail feathers) so she blends in with the surroundings and is able to protect her nest and young.
Regal train of feathers adorns the male peacock from February to July. Late summer he sheds the long, colorful feathers.
Peacocks have been kept in captivity for more than 4,000 years.
YOUNG:
Will nest in straw or on ground; lays up to 8 - 10 eggs; young have grayish-brown feathers and follows close to mother; young called peachicks.
Adolescence at about 1 year of age and color starts to appear. Males grow long trains of feathers at sexual maturity which is three years.
STATUS:
Not threatened; abundant; breeds well in captivity
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