Indian Peafowl

The Indian peafowl is one of the species of peafowl birds. These birds are also referred to as blue peafowl, and their scientific name is “Pavo Cristatus”. They can be found all over the world, although they are native to Sri Lanka and India.

They often live in open forests and cultivated areas. These birds can also be found near streams and where water is available. In addition, many families kept them as pets due to their striking colors.

These Indian birds are one of the largest birds that can fly. Some birds, like ostriches and penguins, may be larger than them, but they are not able to fly. Please check the following details if you want to get additional information about these Indin peafowls.

Name:

Indian Peafowl

Other Names:

Blue Peafowl, Indian Blue Peafowl

Origin:

Popularity:

Most Popular Peafowl Breed

Size:

Big Bird

Lifespan:

23-25 Years

The origin of blue peafowl is India. That is why a large number of blue peafowl can be found in different parts of India. Along with India, these birds also appear in other South Asian countries including Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc. Moreover, they were declared the national bird of India in 1963.

The IUCN Red List estimates that there are more than 100,000 Indian peafowls in the world, while the precise number is unknown. Between hundred and ten thousand breeding pairs of these birds are found in Taiwan and Japan, respectively. These birds are also found in large numbers throughout South Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.

Various factors, including age, gender, color, location, and seller might affect the price of Indian peafowl. Their price might range from $50 to $250, depending on size. Indian peachicks are less expensive than adult blue peafowls. 

However, their prices are negotiable in South Asian countries, especially in India and Pakistan you might get a discount when you purchase more than one bird. You can get them from breeders or farms that sell birds.

The Indian peafowl is known as the oldest ornamental bird in history. This species of peafowl birds originated in India over 5,000 years ago. Indian peafowl was first introduced to Europe when Alexender conquered India in the 4th century. After that, these colorful birds were exported to several regions.

Blue peafowl came with the highest success in domestication and they are allowed in the walls of palaces and zoos. Moreover, Indian peafowls had a big impact on Indian culture after they were declared the national bird of India. In Indian art, blue peafowl is considered a sign of beauty. The Indian government also made strict rules to protect Indian peafowl.

Males and females are referred to as peafowls. On the other hand, female blue peafowl are referred to as Indian peahens, and males as Indian peacocks. This species’ peacocks and peahens achieve sexual maturity at the age of two or three.

Moreover, they are quite different from each other. They differ in terms of appearance and size. To recognize their gender, you must know about the appearance, body size, and colors of both male and female Indian peafowl.

Appearance of Indian Peacock

The Indian peacock has long legs which are brown and grayish. Along with that, these birds are known for their green and blue-colored long tail. The long tail of the Indian peacock is the most charming part that attracts everyone. They have fan-shaped crests while their blue-colored head is short and curled. Moreover, you will see a purple shade on their upper neck and bottoms.

Size 

Male Indian peafowls are larger than female ones in terms of size. Male birds often weigh between 8 and 13 pounds. In terms of body length, they measure between 60 and 90 inches from head to tail. They would be about forty and forty-six inches tall. Moreover, these birds’ long tail and wingspan are 4 to 5 feet. Moreover, these birds’ long tail and wingspan are 4 to 5 feet.

Colors 

The Indian peacocks are brightly colored birds. Peacock colors make it attractive, and beautiful. You will commonly find them in yellow, blue, green, and brown colors. However, the shade of blue and green is the rarest color in Indian peacocks. Talking about their body parts color, the color of their crown is metallic blue while the side of the head is greenish blue. These birds are available in different color patterns like Black Shoulder, White-eyed, Pied, and others.

Appearance of Indian Peahen

In both appearance and size, the Indian peahen is different from the Indian peacock. The Indian peahen has a blue head, and its body and train are brown. A peahen’s tail is shorter than a peacock’s. They come with a greenish lower neck along with duller brown plumage. They also have long, brown, or grayish legs, just like Indian peacocks.  

Size 

Compared to the Indian peacock, the Indian peahen has a smaller body size. Female birds typically weigh between two and four kg. The body length of the Indian peahen is 89-101 cm long from its head to tail. Their height would be around 91 to 96 cm while the spur of female peafowl can be 2 to 2.5 cm long.

Colors 

The colors of Indian peahen are similar to male birds such as brown, blue, green, etc. Their beautiful appearance is highly dependent on their feather colors. Talking about their body parts color, their belly color is white while they have brown backs. The crest of peahen is chestnut-brown and their breast is green and brown.

The birds are omnivores which means they can digest both meat and plant-based foods. Their food habit included fruits, grains, berries, seeds, tomatoes, and crops. They also love to eat different insects such as small mammals, snakes, grasshoppers, etc. If you are keeping them as pets, you can feed them with cheese, eggs, cooked rice, fruits, and seeds. Moreover, they can also eat cat food and kitchen scraps.

Families in South Asian countries love to keep blue peafowl as pets, especially in India and Pakistan. Peafowl are great pets for every family. Due to their colorful appearance, they attract everyone towards them. Additionally, it is always a treat to watch them spread out their colorful feathers.

These birds are often kept in the home backyard as they are not indoor pets. Moreover, you should not keep them inside your home as well. They can break your home mirrors, and glass or can damage other things in your home. If you are keeping them in your backyard make sure to keep them far away from your car or bike.

Health Care 

Health care is essential for the long and healthy life of Indian peafowl. They must be checked twice a week to detect any disease or injury. Make sure to take them to a veterinarian every month, so if your blue peafowl has any common health issue your vet can spot and give treatment before it becomes a serious problem.

Diet Care

A clean, fresh water source and two meals are essential for the survival of Indian peafowl. Their diet should be high-protein foods to maintain their optimal health. As much as possible, keep avocado, caffeine, and mixed maize out of their diet. Feed them with grains, vegetables, oil seeds, and meat.

Grooming Care 

Bathing

Give a bath to your peafowl two times a month to keep their body clean. However, it is often difficult to bathe these large birds so you might need another person for help. Make sure to use conditioner, soap, and shampoo to clean their colorful feathers. Additionally, for blow drying your peafowl, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Also, keep in mind that water should be warm while bathing them.

Nail trimming

The nail trimming of blue peafowl is important due to their sharp nails. They often hurt their owner, other pets, and even themselves with their nails. You need to trim their nails every week as their nail growth is fast. Moreover, try not to trim their nails too short as they might feel pain in short nails.

The lifespan of Indian peafowl largely depends on their environment. They often live in captivity where they get complete care and love from their owner, so these birds live longer. However, Indian peafowl can live in the wildlife as well. Even though they don’t get health care, healthy diet, and grooming, still these birds live around 15 to 20 years in wildlife.

Indian Peafowl in Wildlife

In the wild, blue peafowl only live for fifteen to twenty-five years. The shortened lifespan of blue peafowl in the wild is caused by tigers, leopards, and other wild creatures. However, they usually defend themselves against small animals with their sharp beaks and big claws but can’t fight against big wild animals.

Indian Peafowl in Captivity 

A better care routine for Indian peafowls in captivity results in a longer lifespan. However, Their life in captivity largely depends on how their owner treats them. They can live up to 40 to 50 years if they receive regular veterinarian care, healthy food, and enough grooming.

The Indian Blue Peafowl is a noisy species. The vocal sound of these birds is like a cat sound “meow meow”. We often hear their vocal sound in the evening time and when it’s rainy season.

Moreover, they release some other sounds as well according to different situations. Their vocal sound is so loud that you can even hear them if you’re too far away. These birds’ vocal sounds might irritate people who keep them as pets.

The blue peafowl birds are attractive and amazing. They are the best choice for peafowl lovers. Keeping them in the backyard and enjoying their colorful appearance is always fascinating. Moreover, these birds will surely increase the charms of your home. The owner’s job is just to stay conscious about their environment, health care, diet care, and grooming.