PEAFOWL

The PEAFOWL can refer to the two species of bird in the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. The African Congo Peafowl is placed in its own genus Afropavo and is not dealt with here. Peafowl are best known for the male's extravagant tail, which it displays as part of Courship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peachen, though it is common to hear the female also referred to as a "Peacock". The female peafowl is brown or toned grey and brown.
The two species are :

• Indian Peafowl, pavo cristatus (asiatic)
• Green Peafowl, pavo muticus (asiatic)

The Indian Peafowl is a resident breeder in indian subcontinent. The peacock is designated as the national bird in India.

The Green Peafowl breeds from Burma east to java. The IUCN lists the Green Peafowl as vulnerable to extinction due to hunting and a reduction in extent and quality of habitat.

Taxonomy

The indian Peafowl is monotypic, while the Green Peafowl has 3 subspecies, P.muticus spicifer, P.imperator and the nominate P.m.muticus. The two species are largely allopatric but will hybridize in captivity.

While the form of Green Peafowl in Yunnan is not separated taxonomically, it differs in few aspects from other forms, particularly in its forest-dwelling habits, an "odd, monal-like bill", a curiously long hind toe and longer, more slander wings (K.B. Woods in litt. 2000). some have suggested this is a new subspecies.
Some pheasant breeders have suggested that the Green Peafowl may have more subspecies. Peafowl have sometimes been included in a distinct family from Pheasant.