Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus
- Family
- Partridges, Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies (Phasianidae)
- Order
- Galliformes
Overview
The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), also known as the common peafowl, or blue peafowl, is a species of peafowl native to the Indian subcontinent. While it originated in the Indian subcontinent, it has since been introduced to many other parts of the world. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are referred to as peahens, although both sexes are often referred to colloquially as a "peacock".
The Indian peafowl displays a marked form of sexual dimorphism. The brightly coloured male has a blue coloured head with a fan-shaped crest and is best known for his long train.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Seeds, insects, small reptiles.
How to identify it
- Male: glossy blue neck and breast, fan-shaped crest and a long train of eyespot feathers
- Female: brown with a green neck and the same fan crest
- Roosts high in trees at night
Voice
Loud, far-carrying 'may-awe' calls, especially at dawn and dusk.
Where to see it
- Keoladeo, India
- Sri Lanka's dry-zone parks
Similar species
- Green Peafowl
- green neck and an upright tufted crest; Southeast Asia
Range and habitat
Forest and scrub of eastern Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka; introduced locally almost worldwide.
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Indian peafowl
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
