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Scientific Name of Peacock

Last Updated : 26 Jul, 2023
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Scientific Name of Peacock: The Scientific Name of the Peacock is Pavo cristatus. Three bird species belonging to the genera Pavo and Afropavo and belonging to the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae are collectively referred to as peafowl. Although peafowl of either sex are frequently referred to as “peacocks” in casual language, male peafowl are known as peacocks and female peafowl as peahens. The blue or Indian peafowl, originally from the Indian subcontinent, and the green peafowl, originally from Southeast Asia, are the two Asian species.

The only African species is the Congo peafowl, which is indigenous only to the Congo Basin. Male peafowl are distinguished by their showy plumage and piercing sounds. The latter is particularly noticeable in Asian species because they exhibit a “tail” or “train” of covert feathers with eye spots during courtship rituals.

What is Pavo cristatus?

The Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus) has metallic-looking blue and green plumage that is glossy. In both species, males are noticeably longer than females due to the “tail,” sometimes called a “train,” but females are slightly smaller than males in terms of weight and wingspan. The peacock’s train is made up of greatly extended upper tail coverts rather than tail quill feathers. When a peacock spread his tail, the eyespots on these feathers can be seen finest. Every species’ head is crowned with a crest. The Indian peahen’s feathers are a mottled shade of dull grey, brown, and green. The female also flaunts her feathers to deter other females or to warn her young of danger.

Scientific Classification of Peacock

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Galliformes

Family

Phasianidae

Subfamily

Phasianinae

Tribe

Pavonini

Geographical Distribution and Habitat

These birds are of Asian descent. India is where the blue peacock in particular is from. They are occasionally referred to as peafowl or Indian peacocks as a result. They can also be seen in the wild in Africa, where the lesser-known Congo peacock originates. Peafowls can be found throughout Australia in different locations. Because they require a warm climate for their home, the desert and savannah are the best places to search for them.

The ideal period of the year to see peafowl is in the summer due to it being the breeding season so the birds are likely to be more active. The peak activity period for these birds is between dawn and sunset. They like living in wooded areas as well. These birds are also kept in zoos all around the world. The majority of captive peafowl found in zoos are typically Indian peacocks. Furthermore, many people keep peacocks as pets or maintain them on their farms.

Characteristics of Peacock

Characteristics of Peacock include:

General Features

The largest flying bird in the world is the peacock. Peacocks range in weight from 8 to 13 pounds. They can grow up to 9 feet long.

Varieties

Indian peacocks, Congo peacocks, and green peacocks are the three primary varieties of peacocks.

Diet

During the day, peacocks rest in trees and other secure locations. They leave and try to eat when it is dark. They consume peas, grains, flour, and insects.

Self Defense

Peacocks typically seek refuge in a high spot or a tall tree in the twilight. The bulk of peacocks sit with the herd at night. In the evening, peacocks might be spotted resting on cell towers. They are seated at a high altitude, making them impossible for other predatory animals to hunt.

Behavior

Peafowl are thought to be polygamous across the board. The males share characteristics with other Galliformes members, including the presence of metatarsal spurs or “thorns” on their legs, which they employ to defend their territory from other species.

Plumage colors as attractants

The hues of a peacock’s eyespots (ocelli) and the angle at which they are exhibited affect the success rate of copulation. Peahens carefully observe the many components of a peacock’s train as it performs. The upper train is more of a long-distance attraction signal, while the lower train is typically assessed during close-up courtship. The attention of the peahens is additionally held by sounds like trains creaking and wings flapping.

Courtship

The visiting female peahen will typically stop in front of the male peacock during a courtship display so that she may examine him at 90 degrees to the feather’s surface. The male will then turn and exhibit his feathers at an angle of roughly 45° to the azimuth of the sun, allowing the light to emphasize the iridescence of his train. He will then turn to face her and shiver his train to start the mating process if the female decides to engage in communication with him.

FAQs on the Scientific Name of Peacock

Q: What is the Scientific Name of the Peacock?

Answer:

The scientific name of the Peacock is Pavo cristatus.

Q: Which Genera, Tribe, and Family does Peacock belong to?

Answer:

Peacock belongs to the genera Pavo and Afropavo to the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae.

Q: What is the Conservation Status of Pavo cristatus?

Answer:

The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the current state of Indian peafowls (Pavo cristatus) to be of the least concern.


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