Peafowl

Pavo cristatus

peafowl

Distribution:

South Asia

Habitat:

Tropical forests, urban areas.

Diet:

Seeds, insects, fruits, small mammals, reptiles.

Gestation:

Four - six eggs laid, incubated for 30 days.

General:

Male peafowl (peacock) is brightly coloured with it's famous long train and fan-like courtship displays. Females (peahen) lack the train and are much duller in colour, with a greenish lower neck and brown body. Young (peachicks) are pale brown until maturity.

Peafowl can produce loud calls especially in the breeding season. They frequently use a variety of calls including a low-pitched honk when agitated!

Peafowl forage on the ground in small groups of one male and 3-5 females. Groups are known as musters or prides. After the breeding season, the groups tend to be made up only of females and young.

Fun fact: Indian peafowl are among the largest and heaviest representatives of the pheasant family. So far as is known, only the wild turkey grows notably heavier.

At Hamilton Zoo:

They are free-roaming, so you may see them up near the cafe or down near the oasis. If you encounter them, give them some space, especially if they have babies with them. They will move on in their own time.