Classic Moments in the Forest


Indian Peafowl | Blackbuck | Elephant | Spotted Deer | Common Langur
Wild Boar | Indian Gaur | Tiger | Sambar | Sloth Bear | Leopard
Nilgiri Tahr




Photograph by Dr T. Shivanandappa, A.R.P.S.

Indian Peafowl (Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka)

» SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pavo cristatus
» KANNADA NAME: Navilu

A peafowl in flight is a beautiful and uncommon sight…it takes wing only when surprised, or to cross a ravine or riverbed. The peafowl is described as being "as sinuous as a snake, as stealthy as a cat and as wary as a bull bison in watching for foes". An ever-watchful sentinel of the forest, peafowl give alarm calls at the sight of moving predators or at the sound of thunder during the monsoons. Their calls are distinctive: a loud, harsh scream or short, gasping shrieks accompanied by a pumping action of the head and neck.

The term peafowl includes both peacocks and peahens. Only the cock possesses the famous dazzlingly colourful tail: 1-1.5 metres long in an adult. It takes 2 years for the tail plumage to develop and its full magnificence can best be seen when the cock struts and displays before peahens. Both male and female peafowl have crests (though the peahen's is smaller) and are mottled brown with metallic green on lower neck. Their lifespan is about 15 years.

Description: About the size of a vulture.

Distribution: Throughout India, up to 1,800 m in the Himalayas.

Habits and habitat: Live in groups, known as parties or droves, in dense scrub and deciduous forests, usually near rivers and streams. Also found semi-domesticated near villages and cultivated areas. Roost at night in large trees.

Natural enemies: Jungle predators like eagles, tigers and leopards; disease and man.

Food: Grain, vegetable shoots, insects, lizards and snakes.

Breeding habits: Polygamous, usually one cock with 5 or 6 peahens. Nesting season is between Jan. and Oct. Peahen lay 3-5 eggs.