The showstopper bird with the most beautiful and unique colors and a small crown on the head, the Indian peafowl, wins the title of the national bird of India.

Peacocks are one of the largest, heaviest birds that can fly. Peafowl feathers’ colors are not pigments but microscopic crystal-like structures reflecting light, creating the fluorescent effect. They have ornamental long coverts(trains) with lengths up to 1.5m (~5 ft) & eye-like spots and crests on the head.

They forage and nest on the ground but roost on top of trees. Found in the forest, near agricultural land, often seen on forest edge tracks feeding in the undergrowth. Their loud “mey-awe” calls are heard repeatedly during the monsoon season. Native to South Asia, but widely introduced worldwide.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

2016

Breeding

Bahamas

2016

Breeding

Bangladesh

2016

Bhutan

2016

India

2016

Nepal

2016

New Zealand

2016

Breeding

Pakistan

2016

Saint Helena

0

Official estimate

EX

2016

Extinct locally, Introduced

Sri Lanka

2016

United States

2016

Breeding: Hawaiian Is.