Habitat: Southeast Asian Rain forest
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek
The green peafowl is different from its more commonly seen cousin, the Indian peafowl, in that both sexes are similar in appearance. They both have scaly green feathers with bluish sides. They are much more silent then the Indian version. They are large birds, one of the largest of their genus.
The bird is found throughout Southeast Asia. This includes both primary and secondary forests in both tropical and subtropical climate. They are also found in bamboo forests and scrub lands.
The peafowl nests on the ground generally with 3 to 6 eggs. They do not pair bond. Instead, males form territories and keep harems within it. In contrast, in captivity, the bird forms monogamous bonds. In any event, in the wild, family units roost in trees. The diet consists of fruits, seeds, small animals and invertebrates. They have been known to even hunt venomous snakes. Ticks, termites, berries and flowers seem to be the preferred food choice.
Due to hunting for its plumage and habitat destruction, the bird is considered endangered. Its is believed there are less than 10,000 in the wild. It is the national symbol of Myanmar and was often used symbolically by the kings of ancient Burma.
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