Peacock

Description

A species of bird with very colorful, ornamental plumage of the pheasant family (Phasianidae). The two main species of peacocks are native to Asia: Pavo cristatus (India, Sri Lanka), and Pavo muticus (Java, Burma). The large birds consume seeds, plant parts, and insects as well as small animals, lizards, and snakes. The male peacock has metallic blue or green body feathers and green tail feathers that can grow up to 5 feet long (150 cm). The ends of the feathers contain an iridescent spot with rings of green, blue, and bronze colors.

Synonyms and Related Terms

peafowl; peahen; green peafowl (Pavo muticus); Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus); Blaue Pfau (Deut.); pavo real (Esp.); paon (Fr.); (It.); pauw (Ned.); påfugl (Nor.); pavão (Port.);

Additional Images

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  Indian peacock

Authority

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "peacock." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service 18 Mar. 2005 .

• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock