Learn All About the Spectacular Indian Peafowl

by Delia Moreno, age 9

Did you know that the Indian peafowl is in a bird group called pheasants? Pheasants are large or small colorful birds that can fly. Some species of pheasants include Ring-necked pheasant, himalayan monal, and golden pheasants.

Male peafowls are called peacocks and females are called peahens; together they are peafowl. A characteristic that distinguishes the female and the male are their feathers. Peacocks have beautiful feathers on their back, but peahens do not. Instead, they have a crest on their head, and their neck feathers are green.

A peafowl's can grow to three to four feet or more in length. They can also have a five foot tail and weigh about 8.75 to 13 pounds. Their collections of feathers are so big that they are longer than the animals' bodies, making the animal seem bigger than it actually is. Not only is the collection of feathers long, but it is also very colorful.

Throughout the years, peafowls have been introduced to different countries through park exhibits, zoos, nature centers, and they have been listed as domestic pets. Peafowls are native to India, Sri Lanka, and Southern Asia. Indian peafowls are listed as “not endangered” on the endangered species list, also called the IUCM Red List.

Indian Peafowls are the most colorful birds in the world, and their feathers can be displayed as a spectacular fan of many colors.

[Source: National Geographic; The Encyclopdia of Animals]