Green Peafowl
The Green Peafowl is a species of Peafowls that is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It’s the closest relative of the Blue Peafowl which is mostly found on the Indian subcontinent. The Green Peafowl is famous for the glorious train carried by the male, which he lifts up to form a quivering fan when displaying. Despite being less well-known, it’s even more spectacular than its close relative the Indian Peafowl. And it has a more upright posture, a greener neck, and a darker, more golden train.
The Green Peacock has a long, green and tightly bundled head-crest which is held erect. His neck and head’s feathers are dark bluish-green and have a metallic sheen, but leave bare blue and yellow skin on show beneath his eyes. The Green Peacock’s wings are dark green and blue with pale brown flight feathers. He also has a long train that extends up to two meters and is decorated with eye spots (ocelli). While in the female the coverts are green and much shorter, just covering the tail. The Green Peacock acquires a total length of almost 2.5 m, while the female’s length is about 1.2 m.
Unlike the related Indian Peafowl, both sexes of the Green Peafowl are quite similar in appearance, especially in the wild. But females are less vivid shade of green, and lack the long train. Three subspecies are known for the Green Peafowl; The “Java Peafowl” which is the brightest of all subspecies, having iridescent blue and green wings. The “Burmese Peafowl” which is duller in color, with less green and more blue feathers. And the “Indo-Chinese Peafowl” which has darker sides, belly and secondaries, and lighter facial skin than the other subspecies.
The Green Peafowl breeds between April and June. The females lays 4 – 6 eggs per clutch, which she incubates for 26 – 28 days. Green peachicks will usually remain with their mothers until the next breeding season.
Although the Grey Peacock-Pheasant is the national bird of Myanmar, the Green Peafowl was an ancient symbol of the monarchs of Burma. It was also shown during British colonial times on the flag of the governor and the naval ensign. As well as on the flag of the State of Burma from 1943 – 1945 and on the currency of independent Burma as well.
Place of origin | Myanmar, Indochina, and Java |
Use | Ornamental |
Weight | Male: 3.8 – 5 kg female: 1 – 1.2 kg |
Egg color | Fawn to buff white |