17. Indian Peafowl (Peacock)
Latin name: Pavo cristatus
Unique colorful feature: A dazzling blue and green breast and a yellow, green, and blue tail fan
Where they are found: Southeast Asia
Size: Length: 3.3 to 3.8 feet (1.0 to 1.15 m); Weight: 8.8 to 13 pounds (4 to 5 kg); Wingspan: Avg. 5 feet (1.5 m)
Diet: insects, fruit, and seeds
The male is famous for his dazzling display of tail feathers that fan out to about 5 feet (1.5 m) in colors of green, blue and yellow, dotted by eyespots of the same colors. Adding to his beauty is a metallic blue-green throat, chest and fancy crest.
The polygamous male uses his glorious tail display to attract females (peahens) which are overall brown in color.
The national bird of India, this peafowl is native to India and is also commonly found in Sri Lanka and other countries of South Asia but has been widely introduced all over the world.
In the wild, Indian peafowls feed on seeds, fruits, and insects and make their nests on the ground with the female taking sole responsibility of 4 to 8 chicks.