Peafowl
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PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
The Blue (or Indian) Peafowl has been kept and reared in captivity for over 2000 years. Although no signs of domestication such as changes in shape or size have ever occurred, two or tree mutations have developed. One mutation, known to occur frequently among birds bred in captivity, is the White Indian peafowl.
Peafowl are ground feeding birds with moderately strong legs. Three strong toes face forwards and one backwards. While they nest on the ground, they prefer to roost in the trees. Their wing surface to bodyweight ration is not large and most species are incapable of long flights.
DISTRIBUTION:
Peafowl are native to southern India and Ceylon.
BEHAVIOR:
In its homeland, India, where it may still be found wild in the jungles, the peacock is both popular and useful in that it feeds on young cobras. It utters an unpleasant wailing cry, especially before a rainfall.
Peafowl are quarrelsome and do not mix well with other domestic animals.
DIET:
Mostly insects.
REPRODUCTION and GROWTH:
In the wild, peafowl live in parties, usually dry open forest. They habitually go to roost early in tall trees, calling and bugling loudly as they move upward.
The long ornamental feathers, which the peacock displays so magnificently before the peahen in courtship, are not its true tail feathers but are elongated feathers of the upper tail coverts. In spite of its dimensions, the train does not hinder the bird either when perching or in flight.
In the courtship display, the huge tail coverts are elevated to form a massive, lacy fan, supported from behind by the unadorned tail feathers. The train extends from ground to ground over the back and is angled over the head like a tilted umbrella thickly hung with glittering ornaments. This sight is accompanied by rasping noises from the fluttered wings and prancing movements of the feet.
The male has a harem of two to five females. The peahen lays from three to five brownish buff eggs.
