a review on indian peafowl ( pavo cristatus ) linnaeus,...

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 Sonika Kushwaha and Akhilesh Kumar Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. *Corresponding Author: Sonika Kushwaha Email: [email protected] Received: 03/10/2016 Accepted: 27/11/2016

Abstract India declared the Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) as National Bird of

India in 1963. In India, it is given the utmost protection by its inclusion in the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Indian Peafowl is the largest among the pheasants. It belongs to the family Phasianidae and order Galliformes. Pavo cristatus have received mention in various cultures and mythology. It is locally common endemic breeding resident of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The preferred habitats of this pennant species are scrub-jungles and forest fringes, dry deciduous and semiarid regions, agricultural fields, along streams and near human settlements. They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of animal and plant material. WWF and other environmental groups estimated that the population has gone down by almost 50 percent when compared to the population at the time of independence. It has been 52 years since Peacock was declared as National Bird but there is no census for peacocks in India that may reveal their abundance and scarcity. Threats include, increasing poaching for feathers and meat, habitat destruction, mortality due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, poisoning by farmers to prevent crop damage and extraction of various parts for traditional medicines. They play an important role in regulating the ecosystem balance and are of religious importance. The proper implication of conservation measures is the need of hour before the emblematic National bird is listed in the threatened category of IUCN Red List. Keywords: India, Peafowl, National bird, Population.

1. Introduction India declared the Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

as National Bird of India in 1963. According to the renowned ornithologist, Late Dr. Salim Ali, the peafowl was recommended to the Government as National Bird on account of its widespread distribution in the country and also because of its longstanding association with the life and culture of the Indian people. Somehow, this latter aspect is taken for granted and it is generally not appreciated that in no other country of the world the bonds between the national bird and its people are as ancient and intimate as in India. Majestic: For sheer attractiveness, adorning ability and adaptability, the Indian Peafowl is clearly unsurpassable and incomparable. No other bird can claim such a triple 'A' standing. Regal and resplendent, yet common and plebian, it stands in a class of its own, a true symbol of India in all its beauty and colorful splendor. It is rightly the National Bird of India. Later, throughout India's history, the peafowl has received state recognition, one way or the other. In India, it is given the utmost

protection by its inclusion in the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Also known as Indian Peafowl or Common Peafowl is the largest among the pheasants. Essentially, all Indian pheasants are terrestrial forest dwellers, though the Indian Peafowl is known to thrive also in the non-forest areas and even in urban places. The Indian Peafowl prefers scrub forest for its habitat and is distributed widely through the country; it is the only pheasant species that is able to adjust easily to human beings and is at home near habitations and even in urban areas. This is another factor that has facilitated its long and intimate association with the people in India.

Pheasants are regarded as the most distinctive bird family of the Himalaya, perhaps, due to their charismatic features and also their significant role in the high altitude ecosystem. They serve as useful indicator of habitat/ environmental quality, as a major prey base for predatory birds and mammals 1 and indicators of adverse human impacts on their ecosystems. 2, 3 Pheasants are important indicator species since their

Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758


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presence or absence in an area is a good indicator of the healthiness of the bionetwork. The peacock symbolizes glory, grace, joy, splendor, love and pride. It is believed that the dancing peacock is an indication for off set of rains. At the sight of dark clouds the bird outspreads its tail and starts dancing in rhythmic fashion. The significance of peacock is attached to cultures of India, Far East, Ancient Persia, Greek and Christian. It occupies a sacred position in Hindu mythology subject of voluminous folklore as well as in Sanskrit, literature and poetry (Thaker, 1963). Peacock has been associated with Lord Krishna who adorns the peacock feather on his forehead. In Hinduism, the image of the god of thunder, rains and war, Indra, was depicted in the form of a peacock. In south India, peacock is considered as a 'vahana' or vehilce of Lord Muruga (Fig 1). The Indian peafowl plays an important role in the Muslim story of creation as well (Thapar, 1998). The figure of peacock is painted in various Islamic religious buildings.

In Christianity, the peacock was also known as the symbol of the 'Resurrection' (file:///G:/Review%20on%20Peacock/Peacocks/national_bird.asp.html). This role of the peacock in different religions, folklore and mythology had traditionally acted as a safeguard against their being killed. The Maurya and Gupta rulers conferred special status to the species and even reared these birds in their palace gardens. Emperor Ashok in the second century BC forbade the killing of peafowl for the table and some of his stone edicts displayed the peacock prominently. The famous Sanchi Stupa of around the same period has winged lions and peacocks that were considered royal, hence suitable for the Stupa (Fig 2a). During the Gupta period in the fifth century AD, several coins depicting the peacock were issued and it was also a favourite subject for the art and architecture of that time (Fig 2b). This trend continued in varying forms subsequently, even during the medieval period when the Muslim rulers were dominant. For instance, the Tughlak kings were so fascinated by the peafowl feather that they adopted its design for the state emblem and prescribed its use in various ways, including the headgear of the soldiers. Moreover, fans made of peacock feathers were regularly used in the courtrooms of many rulers all across the country, including the imperial Mughals (Fig 2c).

Male Indian Peafowl have characteristic colorful tail feathers or train that makes the male peafowl one of the largest flying birds in the world. The feathers of the Blue Peafowl and both the Jungle fowl are also in demand. Illegal trade in live birds is also a problem to reckon with. The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was once widely distributed and abundant throughout the Indian mainland except for the Himalayan ranges and

North-East India. In recent years, there has been an increasing concern about their declining status. 2. Classification, Distribution and

Population The pheasants are group of birds belong to the

Order Galliformes and Family Phasianidae that includes pheasants, partridges and quails, commonly known as ‘game birds’ (Delacour, 1977). The family Phasianidae is the largest and the most diverse assemblage (Johnsgard, 1986). Out of 51 species of World’s pheasants, 17 species occur in India with very little ecological information (Fuller and Garson, 2000). Order - Galliformes 250 species in World. Familiy - Phasianidae 138 species in World. Species - Pheasants 51 species in World and 17 in India. 3. Classification of Indian Peafowl Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Genus: Pavo Species: Cristatus Three species of peafowl are found in the World (Dharmakumarsinhji and Lavkumar, 1981):

a) Burmese peafowl (P. muticus) from eastwards to Sumatra (Fig 3a).

b) African peafowl/Congo peafowl (A. congensis) in Belgian Congo and (Fig 3b).

c) Indian Peafowl or blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in Indian subcontinent (Fig 3c).

The geographical ranges of P. muticus and P. cristatus generally do not overlap. However, the distribution range of P. muticus extends upto 1500 to 1800 m., whereas P. cristatus is restricted to low plains, frequently less than 600 m. (Baker, 1930). The peacock is widely distributed in the Indian sub-continent, from the south and east of the Indus River, Jammu and Kashmir, east Assam, south Mizoram and the whole of the Indian peninsula (R Sabesh, 2010). The population is very high in Rajasthan, Mathura and Chitrakoot. The destruction of forest areas in Mathura has reduced their population, still the mornings echo with may-awe and ka-ann. Some districts of Uttar Pradesh like Agra, Kanpur, Sitapur, Lucknow have good population of peafowls while some districts are reported to have population decline such as Jhansi and Lalitpur.

It is protected throughout the country, especially under the Schedule-1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and its subsequent amendment and Appendix-1 of CITES (Dodia, 2011). Nevertheless, the population of the bird is decreasing in India. It has also been reported that there is no reliable estimate of the population of peafowl available in India (Ali and –



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Peacock: vehilce of Lord Muruga Peacock associated with Lord Krishna

Fig 1: Peacock in Indian Mythology.

Fig 2a: Peacocks in Sanchi Stupa. Fig 2b: Peacocks on coins during Gupta Period.

Fig 2c: Peacocks in Mughal Architecture.

Kushwaha and Kumar…

Journal of Wildlife Research | October© 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd

Fig 3a: Burmese Peafowl (media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals

Fig Ripley, 1989; Choudhury and Sathyakumar, 2007). Ornithologists believe that the population of peacocks is more than 100,000. WWF and other environmental groups estimate that the population has gone down by almost 50 percent when compared to thethe time of independence. However, it is difficult to determine how many peacocks have been lost over theyears because of the non-availability ofnationwide census of the bird Sabesh, 2010). Though global population trends have not been quantified there is evidence of population decline (Del Hoyo et al., 1994).peafowl population throughout its distribution range is essential to assess the present population status of our National Bird. 4. Morphological Features

The male Indian peafowl, commonly known as the peacock, is one of the most beautiful


October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd

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Burmese Peafowl (P. muticus) https://s-

mg.com/originals. Fig 3b: African peafowl/Congo peafowl (

congensis) wikipedia.

Fig 3c: Indian Peafowl or blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus).

Ripley, 1989; Choudhury and Sathyakumar, 2007). Ornithologists believe that the population of peacocks is

re than 100,000. WWF and other environmental population has gone down by

50 percent when compared to the population at the time of independence. However, it is difficult to

many peacocks have been lost over the availability of data as a

has not been done (R Though global population trends have

not been quantified there is evidence of population , 1994). A census of Indian

peafowl population throughout its distribution range is essential to assess the present population status of our

Morphological Features Indian peafowl, commonly known as

peacock, is one of the most beautiful and

recognizable birds in the Wbrightly coloured, with a distinctive crest and anornamental train. Combined with a large wingspan, thismakes the peacock one of the largestworld. The train is formed by 100 to 150 highly specialized upper tail-coverts. Each of thesesports an ornamental ocellusdisintegrated barbs, giving the feathers a loose, fluffylook (Fig 4a). The female lacks the train, with agreenish lower neck and dull brown"train" is in reality made up of the enormously elongated upper tail covertsbrown and short as in the peahen. from any green or blue pigments but from the microstructure of the feathers and the rphenomena (Blau, 2004). In northern India, these begin to develop each February and are moulted at the end of August (Sharma, 1974). The moult of the flight feathers may be spread out across the year (Marien

Linnaeus, 1758

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3b: African peafowl/Congo peafowl (A.

zable birds in the World. They are large and with a distinctive crest and an

Combined with a large wingspan, this makes the peacock one of the largest flying birds in the

formed by 100 to 150 highly coverts. Each of these feathers

sports an ornamental ocellus or eye-spot and has long giving the feathers a loose, fluffy

. The female lacks the train, with a greenish lower neck and dull brown plumage. The "train" is in reality made up of the enormously elongated upper tail coverts (Fig 4b). The tail itself is brown and short as in the peahen. The colors result not from any green or blue pigments but from the micro-structure of the feathers and the resulting optical phenomena (Blau, 2004). In northern India, these begin to develop each February and are moulted at the end of

The moult of the flight feathers may be spread out across the year (Marien, 1951). The -



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Fig 4a: Identifying features of Male Peafowl.

Fig 4b: Identifying features of Female Peafowl.

fan-shaped crest on the head is made of feathers with bare black shafts and tipped with bluish-green webbing. A white stripe above the eye and a crescent shaped white patch below the eye are formed by bare white skin. The sides of the head have iridescent greenish blue feathers. The back has scaly bronze-green feathers with black and copper markings. The scapular and the wings are buff and barred in black, the primaries are chestnut and the secondaries are black. The thighs are buff coloured. The male has a spur on the leg above the hind toe (Whistler, 1949; Blanford, 1898). The female, male, sub-adults can be identified by observing the neck colour and tail feathers (Fig 4c). 5. Behaviour and Ecology 5.1 Behavior

Their loud calls make them easy to detect, and in forest areas often indicate the presence of a predator (Gurjar et al., 2013). Peacock is probably the oldest known ornamental bird. “Muster” is a particular term used for flock of peafowls (Irving and Simon, 1961; Grzimek, 1972). Group formation has been observed in many bird species and the possible causes and functions

of grouping have gained much attention over the years (Caraco et al., 1980). Arcese et al. (1995) described the muster composition of Blue Peafowl (Table 1).

It roosts on trees and also uses tall buildings where trees are scarce. It generally prefers a habitat mosaic of scrub and open areas, with adequate sites for dust bathing and lekking, a phenomenon where males are known to congregate in open areas for displaying to attract females (Yasmin and Yahya, 1996). Several males may congregate at a lek site and these males are often closely related. Males at lek appear to maintain small territories next to each other and they allow females to visit them and make no attempt to guard harems (Petrie et al., 1999). Dancing is not the exclusive behavior of the peacocks. The juveniles when 8-10 months old are also observed dancing (Fig 6a and b). The dancing is not related to the breeding season or the onset of rainfall.

Dust bathing is critical as this bird has to condition its feathers and remove feather-degrading bacteria and other external parasites. It is likely that the availability of such habitats partly explains the relatively high abundance of this species in semi arid and flood plains.

In the fourth week of August or beginning of September, Peacock plumes began to loosen and swing suspended. Because the loose plumes cause irritation, Peacocks remove them with their bills. They often preen their train of plumes, plucking out the loose ones. The rate of molt is very slow in the first week, i.e., three to six plumes per day. Molting increased in the second week to 6-21 feathers per day and this continue through the fourth week. During the fifth and sixth week, the rate slow down to two to four plumes per day. In the eighth week, the small plumes remaining are molted irregularly (Fig 7a and b). Plumes developed and grew in size in February when some courtship dance and display began to occur. Plumes attained full size in April before the beginning of the rut and continued to grow until August, the height of the breeding season. The relationship between the commencement of molt and the end of the breeding season has also been observed in many other birds, i.e., males lose brilliant-colored feathers or color after the breeding season (Sharma, 1974). Peafowl prefer varied deciduous forests, cultivated lands and being close to villages (Fig 8). They are very common in most areas of their natural range. Peafowl forage on the ground for food, they return to the same watering hole each day at dusk before roosting in a tree for the night (http://www.seaworld.org/animalinfo/animalbytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/aves/galliformes/indian-peafowl.htm).



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Female around 95 cm (37 in) in length . Peahen has a

rufous-brown head with a crest as in the male but the tips are chestnut edged with green.

Male length from bill to tail of 100 to 115 cm (39

to 45 in) and to the end of a fully grown train as much as 195 to 225 cm (77 to 89 in).

Male (2 years old)

The long train feathers (and tarsal spurs) of the male develop only after the second year of life.

Male (4 years old)

Fully developed trains are found in birds older than four years.

Fig 4c: Identifying features of male, female and subadults.

Table 1: Muster composition of blue peafowl (following Arcese et al., 1995).

S. No

Type of Muster Characteristic

1. All Male muster (AM) All individuals in the muster included adult males (Fig 5a) 2. All Female muster (AF) All individuals in the muster included adult females (Fig 5b) 3. Male-Female mixed muster (MF Mxd) Muster included adult male(s) and adult female(s) 4. Female-Sub adult mixed muster

(FSu Mxd) Muster included adult female(s) and sub adults.

5. Female-Chicks mixed muster (FC Mxd)

Muster included adult female and chick(s). (Fig 5c)

6. Male-Female-Sub adult mixed (MFSu Mxd) Sub adults.

Muster included adult male(s), adult female(s) and muster (Fig 5d)



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Fig 5a: All Male (AM) Muster. Fig 5b: All Female (AF) Muster.

Fig 5c: Female-Chicks mixed Muster (FC Mxd).

Fig 5d: Male-Female-Sub adult mixed (MFSu Mxd) Sub adults.

Juvenile peacock

Juvenile peahen

Fig 6a-b: Dancing Juveniles (8-10 months old).

Plume type

Large plumes with ocelli Medium-sized plumes Plumes without ocelli Plumes on the upper rump

Fig 7a: Order of plume molting.



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Fig 7b: Adult male during the molting period of

feathers. It has been reported that in such mass roosting they break up into small’ groups in the morning with a male and harem of three to five females (Ali and Ripley, 1978), After leaving the roosting areas the birds move into forest clearings, cultivated fields, or other areas for foraging in the early morning hours. In the mid day they spent their timer under shady trees often very close to the water sources, where the birds drink and preen at length (Fig 9).

Late in the afternoon, they forage a second time, and return for another drink at dusk before going to roost in the evening (Ali and Ripley, 1978). 5.1.1 Feeding Behaviour

Peafowl is omnivorous, feeds on everything from grain and green crops to insects, small reptiles and small mammals (Johansingh and Murali, 1980; Sathyanarayana, 2005). They forage in agricultural fields, parks, and forest outskirts in pair or small clusters (Fig 10). Berries and drupes of plants such as Carissa, Lantana, Zizyphus and wild figs (Ficus) are apparently favoured foods of peafowl (Dilger and Wallen, 1966; Ali and Ripley, 1987; Johansgard, 1986). According to the study of Chopra and Kumar (2014) feed on flowers/leaves/fruits parts of Brassica compestris (flowers, leaves), Trifolium alexandarium (flowers, leaves), Triticum aestivum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Oryza sativa (flowers, leaves, fruits), Chenopodium album (flowers, leaves, fruits), Parthenium histerophoresus (flowers, leaves), Pisum sativum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Cicer arientum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Pyrus pyrifolia (flowers, fruits), Ficus benghalensis (flowers, fruits), Ficus rumphii (flowers, fruits) in Saraswati plantation wildlife sanctuary (SPWS), Bir Sonti Reserve Forest (BSRF), and Jhrouli Kalan village (JKAL). They feed on insects and on remains of the snake bodies as well.

Earlier also, Johansingh and Murali (1980) has also recorded that peafowls feed on plant materials such as leaves, grass seeds and flower parts, cotton fruits, Acacia seeds, Cyperus rhizomes, standing cereal crops and various insects (termites, grasshoppers, ants and beetles) in cultivated fields, adjoining Acacia plantation and fallow lands. Drisdelle (2007) has also been reported that due to omnivorous nature, blue peafowl, they eat snakes and keep these venomous animals away from human communities. Indian peafowl can both be advantageous and detrimental for the crops, on one hand, functions as a biocontrol by feeding on harmful pests and on other hand it turns out to be a pest on crops. 5.2 Breeding Biology

The peak season in southern India is April to May, and June in northern India. Peacocks are polygamous. They have a lek like mating system, where males defend small and clumped territories in their breeding season (Hillgarth, 1984; Rands et al., 1984; Loyau et al., 2007).

Several males may congregate at a lek site and these males are often closely related (Petrie et al., 1999). Males at lek appear to maintain small territories next to each other and they allow females to visit them and make no attempt to guard harems. The male peafowl display their magnificent trains and use loud calls to attract a harem of three to five females. The wings are held half open and drooped and it periodically vibrates the long feathers producing a ruffling sound. The cock faces the hen initially and struts and prances around and sometimes turns around to display the tail (Ali and Ripley, 1980). Males may display even in the absence of females (Fig 11). When a male is displaying, females do not appear to show any interest and usually continue their foraging (Johnsingh, 1978). Females do not appear to favour specific males (Rands et al., 1984). The females most often mate with the males who have the most eyespots on their fans and the largest displays. Males may also freeze over food to invite a female in a form of courtship feeding (Stokes et al., 1971). After mating, the female makes a nest by scraping out a hollow in the ground in a concealed area lined with leaves, sticks and other debris. Nests are sometimes placed on buildings (Vyas, 1994) and in earlier times have been recorded using the disused nest platforms of the white-rumped vultures. When the nests are continuously preyed by the predators, the peahen is reported to lay egg on appropriate trees in exceptional cases (Rajeshwar Prasad and Narayan Singh). They lay three to six buff white eggs in the nest. The peahen lays one egg in one day. The female alone incubates the



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eggs, which hatch in 28-30 days. The eggs of peafowl have also been seen incubated by other birds such as

hen (Rajeshwar Prasad and Narayan Singh). Males have no part in incubating or raising the chicks. However, an

Outskirts of Forests

Agricultural fields

Rocky hills

Human habitation

Fig 8: Peacocks in various habitats.



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Fig 9: Peacocks spent the mid day in shade near source of water.

Fig 10: Foraging Peafowls.

Fig 11: Male peacock performing mating dance to entice a nearby peahen.



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unusual instance of a male incubating a clutch of eggs has been reported (Shivrajkumar, 1957). When the precocial chicks hatch, they are well developed and able to leave the nest within a few hours to follow the female, and are able to feed themselves from birth (Whistler, 1949). Downy young may sometimes climb on their mothers' back and the female may carry them in flight to a safe tree branch (Singh, 1964). By four weeks the chicks begin to grow their crests and by two months they resemble the females but are about half their size. Peafowl are mature at two to three years of age (Fig 12 a-d). Males develop their brilliant plumage and magnificent trains by the age of three but younger males will practice fan spreading and courtship displays. Lifespan for Indian peafowl is about 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity. 5.3 Roosting Behaviour

Trivedi and Johnsingh (1996) reported that the roost of Indian Blue Peafowl gives us lot of management strategies to safe guard the trees in the relevant habitats. But information on the roost selection is a vital component in the overall habitat selection process. However, very limited information is available on the roost study of Indian Blue Peafowl. Ali and Ripley (1983) have reported that large birds need tall trees and small birds need small trees for roosting. Roosting site selection plays a pivotal role in the nesting success of any species. Judicious selection of the roosting site enhances the survival of birds, by virtue of reduced heat loss, information sharing, accountability of population and better production from predators (Gadgil 1972; Tast and Rassi, 1973; Gadgil and Ali, 1975; Gyllin et al., 1977). The roost comprises of adult males, females, sub-adults. The height of roost tree, roost height, canopy cover and habitat plays a vital role in choosing the roost trees by Peafowl (Gadgil and Ali, 1975). According to Bergmann (1980) and Johansgaurd (1986), blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus) has been observed on the tall trees for roosting, and nesting under dense bushes with open areas having feeding grounds. According to Baker and Inglis (1930) peafowls preferably roost on high, open trees so that they could get vision from all all directions; and they generally select the tallest trees for roosting in forests in order to protect themselves from the tree-climbing, night predators such as the leopard and other cats. Johnsingh and Murali (1980) found five banyan trees (Ficus bengalensis) served as the roosting site for about 100 birds. Roosting of the peafowls is very closely related with the sunset but temperature has no relation with roosting (Navatheekannan, 1984). According to the observations of Chopra and Kumar in 2012, peafowl

roost in their habitats during their inactive period (i.e., noon and in late evening hours) on dominant tree species. They reported 13 species of trees for roosting, namely, Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus hybrid, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus rumphii, Syzygium cumini, Zizyphus mauritiana, Tectona grandis, Pyrus pyrifolia, Pyrus cummunis, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Populus populous. Dodia (2011) has reported that among 14 trees species (Azadiracta indica, Ficus bengalensis, Eucalyptus, Cocos nucifera, Prosopsis juliflora, Mangifera indica, Ziziphus mauritina, Syzium cumini, Ficus teseila, Manikara haexandra, Terminalia catappa, Casuariana equisetafolia, Samanaea saman, Adansonnia digitate) peafowl roosted mainly on Azadiracta indica, Ficus bengalensis, Eucalyptus and Cocos nucifera in Gujarat state of India. The peafowls select Ficus bengalensis, Madhuca indica, Cocus nucifera, Acacia sp. Albizia lebbeck and Palm tree in Trichy district of Tamilnadu. The peafowl preferred the primary and secondary branches for roosting (K. Kalaiselvan* and N. Ramesh, 2014). The Peafowl in districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are seen roosting on large and old Sheesam trees, peepal trees, chirol, Gulmohar, Neem, imli, etc. (Fig 13). They are also seen resting on human constructed buildings during the day time (Fig 14). Roosting site may enhance the survival of birds, by virtue of reduced heat loss, information sharing and better protection from predators (Gadgil and Ali, 1975). 6. Threats

After Fifty two magnificent years (2015), after being named the National Bird of India, the mesmerizing peacock faces negligence regarding field surveys and scientific research in Indian subcontinent. When talking about Experts, peacocks are considered least endangered species, hence uncared for. The peafowls are facing various threats that are resulting in population decline.

a) The veracity about Peacocks is loss and destruction of habitats due to urban sprawl that result in shrinking of the natural habitats.

b) Jackal (Canis aureus), feral dogs, python (Python molurus) and Common Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis) are the common predators (Fig 15).

c) The poaching of Peacock, unthinkable in the past is a common practice today. While the young ones are mainly trapped for flesh, male peacocks are killed for their feathers (Fig 16).

d) Previously, the law permitted the collection of shed feathers, but once the feathers have been used in crafts it is difficult to say whether they –

Kushwaha and Kumar…

Journal of Wildlife Research | October© 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd

Fig 12a: A few days old Chick

Fig 12c: 4 months old Chicks with female

Fig 11


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A few days old Chick. Fig 12b: 3 months old Chicpeahen.

4 months old Chicks with female.

Fig 12d: Sub-adults with female

Fig 11 and 12: Various stages in breeding cycle of peafowl

Fig 13: Peafowls roosting on large trees.

Linnaeus, 1758

3 months old Chicks with

adults with female.

Various stages in breeding cycle of peafowl.



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Fig 14: Peafowls resting on man-made constructions.

Fig.15: Common predators of Peafowls (Feral dog and Python).

Fig 16: Male peacocks are killed for their feathers.



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Table 2: Peafowl drugs used in traditional treatment by tribes in India (Bagde and Jain, 2013; Katewa and Galav,

2006; Vyas et al., 2009; Mahawar and Jaroli, 2007).

S.No Part of Peacock

Disease Treatment Place

1. Legs Ear problem Leg of peacock boiled in oil and used for ear problem

Tribes of Nandurbar district of Maharastra

2 Feather Cough Ash of feathers Tribes of Nandurbar district of Maharastra

3. Flesh and fat Contracted limbs Fat content of visceral organs is melted over small flame and applied externally on contracted limbs

Tribes of Thirunelveli, Nilgris, Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu.

4 Feather Hiccups 10 gm Ash of feathers+ 10 gm Piper longum+ 10 gm Cuminum cyminum Thrice a day

Tribes of Thirunelveli, Nilgris, Coimbatore and Erode districts of Tamil Nadu.

5. Feather Headache Feather ash mixed with coconut oil Attappadi Hills of Palghat District in Kerela

6. Flesh Tonic, pus and wound X Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Andra Pradesh, Karanataka

7. Bones Tonic, pus and wound X Tamil Nadu, Kerela, AndraPradesh, Karanataka

8. Feather Cough, asthma and other respiratory diseases

milk of goat and ash of peacock feathers Pench National Park of Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh

9. Feathers Sexual impotence

X Sangola in Solapur district (Maharastra)

10 Feathers To get male child Ash of upper rounded portion of 10 peacock feathers is divided into 5 parts. In each part, 5 seeds of Diplocylos palmatus and jaggery are mixed, and bolus each of 20 gm is prepared. One bolus with cow milk daily early morning is given for 5 days.

Shekhawati region of Rajasthan

11 Feathers Asthma And T.B.

Crown of feather burned and remaining ash mixed with honey to make paste used orally

Jalore and Barmer districts, Rajasthan

12 Leg Ear infection Peacock's leg is rubbed with water and this essenced water is used in ear infection

Baran district, Rajasthan

are shed or harvested ones.

e) Export, import and internal trade of the peacock have been banned under the Wildlife Protection Act. Only shed feathers are allowed to be used for the small scale industry. Another problem in detecting violators is that most peacocks are killed outside protected areas; hence several poaching cases go unnoticed or unreported (Sabesh, 2010).

f) A cause for concern is that most of the peacocks, according to wildlife experts, are killed during the mating season. Wildlife experts opine that it is easy to kill a male peacock during the mating season, when it dances in an open area and can be easily targeted. We can well imagine how threatened the peacock species would be when the male birds are killed just before mating.



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g) Because Peacock plumes have decorative, domestic, religious, and commercial value, they are collected on a large scale. Village boys collect molted plumes found scattered in fields, farms, on roofs of houses, etc. They sell these plumes to a retail buyer who visits the villages periodically. The buyer transports bundles of hundreds of feathers on donkeys and sells them to a wholesale dealer. The dealer sorts plumes according to sizes and prepares bundles of 200

each. Bundles of sorted plumes are sold to a large-scale wholesale dealer who sells them to wholesale buyers in various states of India. A large quantity of plumes is exported. Indra Kumar Sharma (1973). This has to be realized that if selectively males are removed for feather trade, then it might lead even to the complex problem of skewed sex ratio of the peafowl population.

Summary of information:

Population 60 PAs reported the peafowl population to be increasing 32 PAs stable and 5 PAs decreasing remaining consider their population to be unknown

Crop depredation 7 PAs reported high crop depredation 55 PAs reported occasional crop depredation 42 PAs reported no crop depredation

Feather collection Most PAs was reported to be occasional or non existent Very few PAs reported poaching/trade

h) It is also easier to hunt peacocks because they roost in the same tree every night. It is shocking that some of the hunters do not want the feathers to be smeared with blood; hence they first trap the bird, break its legs, harvest its tail feathers and then kill it.

i) Adult peacocks living near human habitations are sometimes hunted by domestic dogs (R Sabesh, 2010). Chicks are somewhat more prone to predation than adult birds. Adults living near human habitations are also sometimes hunted by domestic dogs (Gurjar R L et al., 2013).

j) According to data emerged during the study by TRAFFIC in 2008 Agra was the centre of the trade in peacock tail feathers in India, with an entire community (Harries, Kanjars and Khatkis) involved in this trade. Peacock feathers were however on sale in every location surveyed. It was estimated that around 20 million peacock tail feathers were in trade annually in the areas surveyed. This study concluded that the trade in tail feathers of Indian Peafowl in India was not a threat to the species. However, there was a need to undertake detailed investigation into the poaching of the species for meat and others.

k) Sometimes death is caused due to accidental exposure to pesticides but sometimes mass poisoning is also done in order to kill and collect feathers from the dead birds. Mass poisoning becomes easier due to the territorial nature of Indian Peafowl (Mazumdar S, 2006).

l) Intentional poisoning is also done by the farmers to protect the crop damage by the peafowls.

m) Several tribes in Indian States are using various parts of peafowl to prepare traditional medicines (Table 2).

n) While the species is becoming locally extinct from several parts of its former range due to habitat conversion and changes in the cropping pattern (Imam, 2005), poaching, and pesticide related issues, there is no estimate of the size of surviving populations and the rate of loss from the entire country.

7. Management of Threats in India

The status assessment based on questionnaire survey with a well thought-out questionnaire in Protected and unprotected areas including adjoining reserve forests and agricultural landscapes. In 2004, the Endangered Species Management Department of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) initiated gathering information on the status of the Indian Peafowl.

a) Since 2006, the Institute has also sent questionnaires to 350 District Collectors and 1,470 NGOs, NGIs and other professional research organizations. However, in spite of the fact that peafowl are perhaps equally encountered in the non forested landscapes of the country, so far only 106 (6%) have responded. Very few NGOs have provided information in a systematic manner.

b) The WII plans to intensify the nation-wide information gathering on the status of Indian Peafowl through networking with a wider level of institutions and organizations as well as initiating a major research project on the biology, ecology



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and approaches of community based conservation initiatives.

c) In this connection, it is noteworthy that as part of the nation-wide campaign Save the National Bird, WPA-India had put forward certain proposals, including a rapid survey to assess the current status of the species, to the National Board for Wildlife headed by the Prime Minister. In its meeting held on 19 June 2006, the Board approved a rapid survey to assess the current status of the species and periodic monitoring and proper protection measures (BC Choudhury and S Sathyakumar, 2008).

d) The Ministry of Environment and Forests is under the process of banning trade in peacock feathers. It has been brought to the Ministry’s attention that the demand for the tail feathers is more than the supply, thus leading to the rampant poaching and killing of the birds for the purpose of obtaining their feathers. Hence the Ministry proposes to amend sections 43(3)(a) and 44 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 which deals with the transfer and sale of the tail feathers of peacocks. Currently, the Act prohibits the killing of peacocks as well as the export of tail feathers or articles made from them. But, the Act allows domestic trade in feathers or articles under the assumption that these are naturally shed. Following the amendment, section 43(3)(a) and section 44 will no longer exempt those possessing a certificate of ownership for peacocks from transferring or selling the tail feather and articles or trophies made from them (R Sabesh, 2010).

e) In 2013, the Central Government banned the use of peacock feather in handicrafts and jewellery.

f) The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been recently amended by the cabinet to make trade of body parts of peacocks an offence equivalent to punishment for killing other non-endangered species. A person caught selling or purchasing peacock feathers or trophies could be jailed for up to two years under the amended law although having peacock feathers by citizens will not be a crime.

g) Karnataka has two peacock sanctuaries, one at Adichunchanagiri and another at Bankapura fort called Bankapur Peacock sanctuary in Haveri District. The peacock sanctuary in Bankapur is the only second sanctuary in the country that is exclusively engaged in the conservation and breeding of peacocks ("Peacock Paradise"). The Government of India declared Bankapura as a peacock sanctuary on June 9, 2006. This sanctuary is situated on 139 acres of land. The sanctuary is located on the cattle breeding farm which was set

up in 1919 after the First World War. According to a rough estimate, there are more than 1,000 peacocks and peahen in the sanctuary. Also, minimal human intervention has helped in the breeding of these birds.

h) Morachi Chincholi on Pune - Ahmednagar Road, the name itself declares that the village belongs to the Peafowl. Over generations, people of this village have provided sanctuary to a large number of Peafowl. Early each morning, the Peafowl descend from the lofty tamarind trees in the village and roam the lanes of the village to be fed by the people, before retreating to the shade for the hottest portion of the day. Their food includes Grains, Insects, small Reptiles, small Mammals, Berries, Drupes, Wild Figs and some cultivated Crops.

i) Morena District in Madhya Pradesh gets its name due to abundance of peafowl population. The people are concerned and the peafowl lives in harmony with the humans.

j) Todi village in Moth Block of Jhansi district in Uttar Pradesh adores the peafowl. They provide water and grains for the peafowl that do not cause any harm to their crops. The villagers protect them from hunters and instruct the younger generation to take care of the peafowl and their chicks.

8. Recommendations for Improved

Conservational Actions It is imperative to understand the changes in

habitat and population status of these birds on a constant basis. The conservation priorities required include:-

a) Mapping the habitat and distribution of peafowl throughout the country.

b) Temporal analysis of change in their habitat, and c) Identification of “high risk areas” and potential

sites for their conservation. The volume of trade needs to be enumerated to analyze the adverse affects of the peafowl population so as to take proper conservation action. If any illegality is found, strict enforcement action should be taken and, if required necessary policy change need to be done. Maintenance of habitat that is ideal for peafowl. The roosting trees should be protected and plantation of the same should be encouraged. Crops like maize, peas, jowar and horse gram can be grown for the peafowl in areas where population have declined drastically. 8.1 Awareness Drive

Since the nests are located in protected areas as well as inhabited human settlements, it is essential to motivate the villagers as well as forest officials to



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monitor the sites. Awareness and education programmes for localites especially the youths, to encourage them to contribute in peafowl conservation. Local community plays a key role in conservation of any species. To promote the conservation of National Bird and their habitats outside core protected areas by establishing Peacock Management Areas (PMAs). Community-based conservation (CBC) through local level community participation should be devised and implemented to prevent poaching and poisoning of peafowl. Volunteers who are ready to monitor the site should be appointed at each vulture colony, and inform the forest office and the organizations/NGOs working in that region, about any dead vulture found. This way we can investigate the reason of death. Any further delay regarding their conservation may lead to the extinction of Nature’s Cleaners. 8.2 Further Research Work

Further research work is suggested to establish at least a baseline data for population estimation, ecological studies, and parasitological, hematological,

genetic, molecular and microbial aspect of peafowl. Each Indian State should have a Peacock Sanctuary so that the people consider it important to protect the National Bird.

9. Conclusion

The review article may be useful regarding the information about the Indian Peafowl including distribution, population, mythology, morphology, behavior, ecology, threats and conservational management. It is concluded that field surveys and verifications are needed to provide pragmatic data on the current status of the Indian Peafowl. The Indian peafowl is known for its adaptive nature, a factor responsible for its extended and cherished association with the populace in India. The diverse culture and religions of India has valued the absolute charisma, unsurpassable and unrivaled gorgeousness of the Peafowl. Conservation of the Indian National Bird is important ecologically and ethically.

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