Green Peafowl

Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus)

The Green Peafowl is one of two Asian peafowl species and is notably larger and more colorful than the Indian peafowl. Its plumage has a striking metallic sheen, with longer legs, neck, and crest. Males measure 180–300 cm in total length, with a wing span of 46–54 cm, tail 40–47 cm, and train 140–160 cm, weighing up to ~5 kg. The head and upper neck are brownish-green, with a bluish-grey eye-ring. The lower neck features a scaled green-golden edging, while the chest and upper back are blue-green with reddish and yellow markings. Shoulders and wings are dark green; primary feathers are brown with dark grey spots. Tail feathers are light chestnut, with elongated coverts shining copper-red. Beak is black, legs are grey. Females resemble males in color but are smaller. Male calls are quieter and softer than those of the Indian peafowl.

Range and Habitat

Green Peafowl inhabit Southeast Asia at elevations up to ~900 m, including Java, Indochina, northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, western Malaysia, Thailand, and southern China. They prefer mosaic forests with edges, dense undergrowth, and ready access to water. In Europe and the Americas, they were rarely bred before the 20th century.

Conservation Status

The species is much less numerous than the Indian peafowl. During the second half of the 20th century, both range and population declined sharply. The current status according to BirdLife International and IUCN is Endangered (EN). Major threats include habitat loss, hunting, and population fragmentation.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized based on plumage and geography:

• P. m. imperator – Indochinese Green Peafowl
• P. m. muticus – Javan Green Peafowl
• P. m. spicifer – Burmese Green Peafowl

National Symbol

Since 1940, the Burmese subspecies (P. m. spicifer) has been considered a national emblem of Myanmar.