The Green Peafowl, Pavo muticus is a large member of the pheasant family. Like others of the genus it is a colourful bird and is sometimes considered the most beautiful member of its family.

One of the two species in the genus Pavo. The other being the Blue or Indian Peafowl, commonly known as the Peacock. The Green Peafowl has a green tufted crest, different in shape to the fanned crest of the Blue and an iridescent metallic green colour plumage with scaly appearance on its neck, breast and mantle. His emerald green tail feathers have a series of eyes that are best seen when fanned. The female plumage is mainly dull grey-green and she lacks the long tail of the male.

It is a forest bird which nests on the ground laying 3-6 eggs. Its diets consist mainly of seeds, insects and fruit.

There are three subspecies of Green Peafowl, Pavo muticus spicifer from northeastern India and northwestern Myanmar that now is believed to be extinct, Pavo muticus imperator found in Indo-China and the most brilliantly coloured, nominate race Pavo muticus muticus of Java, Indonesia.

The Green Peafowl is evaluated as Vulnerable to extinction due to hunting and a reduction in extent and quality of habitat. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Image:Pavo muticus2.jpg|A female Green Peafowl

Media

References

• Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable
• Birds of India by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp, ISBN 0-691-04910-6

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus)
• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List
• Red Data Book

Pavo | Peafowls

Grøn påfugl | Ährenträgerpfau | Verda pavo | Pavo muticus | Grönhalsad påfågel