Animal Profiles
Birds

Peacock

Pavo cristatus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The Indian peafowl is a ground-foraging bird native to South Asia. Peacock refers to the male, whose long ornamental train is used in courtship.

Pavo cristatus (peacock)

Kandukuru Nagarjun from Bangalore, India · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Indian peafowl use South Asian woodland, scrub and cultivated landscapes near water. This account focuses on the native setting rather than every introduced population.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Grassland
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Seeds, shoots, insects and small animals are eaten.

Classification

Common name
Peacock
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Pavo cristatus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Pavo
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Peacock is the name for a male.
  • The male spreads its train during courtship.
  • Its diet includes both plants and animals.

Habitat and range

Indian peafowl use South Asian woodland, scrub and cultivated landscapes near water. This account focuses on the native setting rather than every introduced population.

Appearance and adaptations

Adult males carry a colourful train with eyespots. Females are less ornate, and the sexes differ conspicuously in adult plumage.

Diet and behaviour

Seeds, shoots, insects and small animals are eaten. It searches on the ground for varied food. Males display to females, and the condition of the train can influence mating success.

Sources

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