male in breeding display (California, USA; 2009-07-05)


Indian Peafowl
Pavo cristatus

Native Range: Oriental Region

Notes: a beautiful and unmistakable bird widely introduced into parks and zoos far beyond its native range; males issue very loud wailing cries; poor fliers but certainly capable of flight; the false eyespots on the flamboyant tails of males may have served initially in predator deterrance, but later became elaborated during evolution by female choice and sexual selection as courtship adornments.


full frontal of displaying male (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

full rear view of displaying male (California, USA; 2006-12-22)

side view of breeding male (California, USA; 2006-12-22)

hen; much browner overall (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

hen still retains head plumes (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

juvenile male; no long tail yet (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

'teenager' (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

chick (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

hen posing for portrait (California, USA; 2009-07-05)

cock posing for portrait (California, USA; 2008-01-19)