Pavo cristatus
Range
They are found in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, but are bred in many places throughout the world domestically.
Habitat
They live in dry grasslands, scrubby areas and deciduous forests.
Body Traits
Males are called peacocks and are much brighter colored than females with shiny (iridescent) blue-green feathers. They have very long display feathers, called a train, that can reach 3.5 feet long and be spread out like a fan with rounded markings that look like eyes. They are spread to show off for females. These long feathers are not their actual tail but come off their tail coverlets.
Habits
They search for food and nest on the ground but sleep (roost) high in the trees.
Diet
They are seed eaters, but will also eat insects, fruits and even some small mammals and reptiles.
Reproduction
Males display with their beautiful train feathers to attract a female into their territory. They will mate with several females that come into their territory and do not help raise the young. Each female lays up to 6 eggs in a nest hidden in the bushes. They hatch in about a month.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Pavo
Species: P. cristatus