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Common Peacock | Pavo cristatus
The Common Peacock is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Phasianidae bird family group which includes birds such as Francolins, Spurfowls, Quails. The description for the Common Peacock (Latin name Pavo cristatus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Pavo cristatus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of and the detailed description of this bird is on page 79. You will find a picture of the Common Peacock on page . NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Common Peacock between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Common Peacock has a height of 100 cms and weighs around 4000 gms. The head is coloured blue, green while the bill is coloured brown. The Pavo cristatus has a white coloured throat, grey legs and a green, blue coloured back. The eyes are brown. The male Pavo cristatus has physical features that are slightly different from the female bird. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is blue, green Eyes are brown Bill is brown Legs are grey Throat is white Back is green, blue Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground This bird hunts for small reptiles such as lizards, geckos and bush snakes. The Common Peacock strikes poisonous snakes on the head with one fatal blow which kills the snake instantly. There have been cases were this bird has been killed by a snake while hunting. Some birds have been blinded by Cobra venom. This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . The Pavo cristatus forages mainly on the ground or at the base of trees, and low down in the shrubs eating mostly fruits and seeds. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. This bird is very common in most of the Southern African Forests Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...This bird is usually seen in small family groups or in large flocks |
