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JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH Journal homepage: www.jakraya.com/journal/jwr

ORIGINAL ARTICLE A Review on Indian ( cristatus ) Linnaeus, 1758

Sonika Kushwaha and Akhilesh Kumar

Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society, Jhansi, .

Abstract declared the Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus ) as National of

India in 1963. In India, it is given the utmost protection by its inclusion in

the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. is the largest among the . It belongs to the family and order . Pavo cristatus have received mention in various cultures and *Corresponding Author: mythology. It is locally common endemic breeding resident of India, and Nepal. The preferred habitats of this pennant are scrub- Sonika Kushwaha jungles and forest fringes, dry deciduous and semiarid regions, agricultural fields, along streams and near human settlements. They are omnivorous and Email: [email protected] feed on a variety of and plant material. WWF and other

environmental groups estimated that the population has gone down by

almost 50 percent when compared to the population at the time of Received: 03/10/2016 independence. It has been 52 since Peacock was declared as National Bird but there is no census for peacocks in India that may reveal their abundance and scarcity. Threats include, increasing poaching for Accepted: 27/11/2016 and meat, , mortality due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides, poisoning by farmers to prevent crop damage and extraction of various parts for traditional medicines. They play an important role in regulating the ecosystem balance and are of religious importance. The

proper implication of conservation measures is the need of hour before the

emblematic National bird is listed in the threatened category of IUCN Red List.

Keywords: India, Peafowl, National bird, Population.

1. Introduction protection by its inclusion in the Schedule I of Wildlife India declared the Blue Peafowl ( Pavo cristatus ) (Protection) Act, 1972. Also known as Indian Peafowl as National Bird of India in 1963. According to the or Common Peafowl is the largest among the pheasants. renowned ornithologist, Late Dr. , the peafowl Essentially, all Indian pheasants are terrestrial forest was recommended to the Government as National Bird dwellers, though the Indian Peafowl is known to thrive on account of its widespread distribution in the country also in the non-forest areas and even in urban places. and also because of its longstanding association with The Indian Peafowl prefers scrub forest for its habitat the life and culture of the Indian people. Somehow, this and is distributed widely through the country; it is the latter aspect is taken for granted and it is generally not only species that is able to adjust easily to appreciated that in no other country of the world the human beings and is at home near habitations and even bonds between the national bird and its people are as in urban areas. This is another factor that has facilitated ancient and intimate as in India. Majestic: For sheer its long and intimate association with the people in attractiveness, adorning ability and adaptability, the India. Indian Peafowl is clearly unsurpassable and Pheasants are regarded as the most distinctive incomparable. No other bird can claim such a triple 'A' bird family of the Himalaya, perhaps, due to their standing. Regal and resplendent, yet common and charismatic features and also their significant role in the plebian, it stands in a class of its own, a true symbol of high altitude ecosystem. They serve as useful indicator India in all its beauty and colorful splendor. It is rightly of habitat/ environmental quality, as a major prey base the National Bird of India. Later, throughout India's for predatory and mammals 1 and indicators of history, the peafowl has received state recognition, one adverse human impacts on their ecosystems. 2, 3 way or the other. In India, it is given the utmost Pheasants are important indicator species since their

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 presence or absence in an area is a good indicator of the North-East India. In recent years, there has been an healthiness of the bionetwork. The peacock symbolizes increasing concern about their declining status. glory, grace, joy, splendor, love and . It is believed that the dancing peacock is an indication for off set of 2. Classification, Distribution and rains. At the sight of dark clouds the bird outspreads its Population and starts dancing in rhythmic fashion. The The pheasants are group of birds belong to the significance of peacock is attached to cultures of India, Order Galliformes and Family Phasianidae that includes Far East, Ancient Persia, Greek and Christian. It pheasants, and quails, commonly known as occupies a sacred position in subject ‘game birds’ (Delacour, 1977). The family Phasianidae of voluminous folklore as well as in , literature is the largest and the most diverse assemblage and poetry (Thaker, 1963). Peacock has been associated (Johnsgard, 1986). Out of 51 species of World’s with Lord who adorns the peacock on pheasants, 17 species occur in India with very little his forehead. In , the image of the of ecological information (Fuller and Garson, 2000). thunder, rains and war, , was depicted in the form Order - Galliformes 250 species in World. of a peacock. In south India, peacock is considered as a Familiy - Phasianidae 138 species in World. '' or vehilce of Lord Muruga (Fig 1). The Indian Species - Pheasants 51 species in World and 17 in India. peafowl plays an important role in the Muslim story of creation as well (Thapar, 1998). The figure of peacock is painted in various Islamic religious buildings. 3. Classification of Indian Peafowl In Christianity, the peacock was also known as Class: Aves the symbol of the 'Resurrection' Order: Galliformes (file:///G:/Review%20on%20Peacock/Peacocks/nationa Family: Phasianidae l_bird.asp.html). This role of the peacock in different : Pavo religions, folklore and mythology had traditionally acted Species: Cristatus as a safeguard against their being killed. The Maurya Three species of peafowl are found in the World and Gupta rulers conferred special status to the species (Dharmakumarsinhji and Lavkumar, 1981): and even reared these birds in their palace gardens. a) Burmese peafowl ( P. muticus) from eastwards Emperor Ashok in the second century BC forbade the to Sumatra (Fig 3a). killing of peafowl for the table and some of his stone b) African peafowl/ (A. edicts displayed the peacock prominently. The famous congensis) in Belgian Congo and (Fig 3b). Stupa of around the same period has winged c) Indian Peafowl or blue peafowl (Pavo and peacocks that were considered royal, hence cristatus) in (Fig 3c). suitable for the Stupa (Fig 2a). During the Gupta period The geographical ranges of P. muticus and P. in the fifth century AD, several coins depicting the cristatus generally do not overlap. However, the peacock were issued and it was also a favourite subject distribution range of P. muticus extends upto 1500 to for the art and architecture of that time (Fig 2b). This 1800 m., whereas P. cristatus is restricted to low plains, trend continued in varying forms subsequently, even frequently less than 600 m. (Baker, 1930). The peacock during the medieval period when the Muslim rulers is widely distributed in the Indian sub-continent, from were dominant. For instance, the Tughlak kings were so the south and east of the Indus River, Jammu and fascinated by the peafowl feather that they adopted its Kashmir, east Assam, south Mizoram and the whole of design for the state emblem and prescribed its use in the Indian peninsula (R Sabesh, 2010). The population various ways, including the headgear of the soldiers. is very high in Rajasthan, Mathura and Chitrakoot. The Moreover, fans made of peacock feathers were destruction of forest areas in Mathura has reduced their regularly used in the courtrooms of many rulers all population, still the mornings echo with may-awe and across the country, including the imperial Mughals (Fig ka-ann. Some districts of Uttar Pradesh like Agra, 2c). Kanpur, Sitapur, Lucknow have good population of Male Indian Peafowl have characteristic colorful while some districts are reported to have tail feathers or train that makes the male peafowl one of population decline such as Jhansi and Lalitpur. the largest flying birds in the world. The feathers of the It is protected throughout the country, especially Blue Peafowl and both the Jungle are also in under the Schedule-1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection demand. Illegal trade in live birds is also a problem to Act, 1972 and its subsequent amendment and reckon with. The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus ) was Appendix-1 of CITES (Dodia, 2011). Nevertheless, the once widely distributed and abundant throughout the population of the bird is decreasing in India. It has also Indian mainland except for the Himalayan ranges and been reported that there is no reliable estimate of the population of peafowl available in India (Ali and –

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 43 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Peacock: vehilce of Lord Muruga Peacock associated with Lord Krishna

Fig 1: Peacock in Indian Mythology.

Fig 2a: Peacocks in Sanchi Stupa. Fig 2b: Peacocks on coins during Gupta Period.

Fig 2c: Peacocks in Mughal Architecture.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 44 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Fig 3a: Burmese Peafowl ( P. muticus ) https://s- Fig 3b: African peafowl/Congo peafowl ( A. media-cache-ak0.pini mg.com/originals . congensis ) wikipedia.

Fig 3c: Indian Peafowl or blue peafowl ( Pavo cristatus).

Ripley, 1989; Choudhury and Sathyakumar, 2007). recogni zable birds in the W orld. They are large and Ornithologists believe that the population of peacocks is brightly coloured, with a distinctive crest and an mo re than 100,000. WWF and other environmental ornamental train. Combined with a large wingspan, this groups estimate that the population has gone down by makes the peacock one of the largest flying birds in the almost 50 percent when compared to the population at world. The train is formed by 100 to 150 highly the time of independence. However, it is difficult to specialized upper tail-coverts. Each of these feathers determine how many peacocks have been lost over the sports an ornamental ocellus or eye-spot and has long years because of the non-availability of data as a disintegrated barbs, giving the feathers a loose, fluffy nationwide census of the bird has not been done (R look (Fig 4a). The female lacks the train, with a Sabesh, 2010). Though global population trends have greenish lower neck and dull brown plumage. The not been quantified there is evidence of population "train" is in reality made up of the enormously decline (Del Hoyo et al., 1994). A census of Indian elongated upper tail coverts (Fig 4b). The tail itself is peafowl population throughout its distribution range is brown and short as in the peahen. The result not essential to assess the present population status of our from any green or blue but from the micro - National Bird. structure of the feathers and the r esulting optical phenomena (Blau, 2004). In northern India, these begin 4. Morphological Features to develop each February and are moulted at the end of The male Indian peafowl, commonly known as August (Sharma, 1974). The moult of the flight feathers the peacock, is one of the most beautiful and may be spread out across the (Marien , 1951). The -

Journal of Wildlife Research | October -December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 45 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

of grouping have gained much attention over the years (Caraco et al ., 1980). Arcese et al . (1995) described the muster composition of Blue Peafowl (Table 1). It roosts on trees and also uses tall buildings where trees are scarce. It generally prefers a habitat mosaic of scrub and open areas, with adequate sites for dust bathing and lekking, a phenomenon where males are known to congregate in open areas for displaying to attract females (Yasmin and Yahya, 1996). Several males may congregate at a lek site and these males are often closely related. Males at lek appear to maintain small territories next to each other and they allow females to visit them and make no attempt to guard Fig 4a: Identifying features of Male Peafowl. harems (Petrie et al., 1999). Dancing is not the exclusive behavior of the peacocks. The juveniles when 8-10 months old are also observed dancing (Fig 6a and b). The dancing is not related to the breeding season or the onset of rainfall. Dust bathing is critical as this bird has to condition its feathers and remove feather-degrading bacteria and other external parasites. It is likely that the availability of such habitats partly explains the relatively high abundance of this species in semi arid and flood plains. In the fourth week of August or beginning of September, Peacock plumes began to loosen and swing suspended. Because the loose plumes cause irritation, Fig 4b: Identifying features of Female Peafowl. Peacocks remove them with their bills. They often preen their train of plumes, plucking out the loose ones. fan-shaped crest on the head is made of feathers with The rate of molt is very slow in the first week, i.e., three bare black shafts and tipped with bluish-green webbing. to six plumes per day. Molting increased in the second A white stripe above the eye and a crescent shaped week to 6-21 feathers per day and this continue through white patch below the eye are formed by bare white the fourth week. During the fifth and sixth week, the skin. The sides of the head have iridescent greenish blue rate slow down to two to four plumes per day. In the feathers. The back has scaly bronze-green feathers with eighth week, the small plumes remaining are molted black and copper markings. The scapular and the wings irregularly (Fig 7a and b). Plumes developed and grew are buff and barred in black, the primaries are chestnut in size in February when some courtship dance and and the secondaries are black. The thighs are buff began to occur. Plumes attained full size in coloured. The male has a spur on the leg above the hind April before the beginning of the rut and continued to toe (Whistler, 1949; Blanford, 1898). The female, male, grow until August, the height of the breeding season. sub-adults can be identified by observing the neck The relationship between the commencement of molt colour and tail feathers (Fig 4c). and the end of the breeding season has also been observed in many other birds, i.e., males lose brilliant- 5. Behaviour and Ecology colored feathers or after the breeding season (Sharma, 1974). Peafowl prefer varied deciduous 5.1 Behavior forests, cultivated lands and being close to villages (Fig 8). They are very common in most areas of their natural Their loud calls make them easy to detect, and in range. Peafowl forage on the ground for food, they forest areas often indicate the presence of a predator return to the same watering hole each day at dusk (Gurjar et al., 2013). Peacock is probably the oldest before roosting in a tree for the night known ornamental bird. “Muster” is a particular term (http://www.seaworld.org/animalinfo/animalbytes/anim used for flock of peafowls (Irving and Simon, 1961; alia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/cran Grzimek, 1972). Group formation has been observed in iata/aves/galliformes/indian-peafowl.htm ). many bird species and the possible causes and functions

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 46 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Female around 95 cm (37 in) in length . Peahen has a rufous-brown head with a crest as in the male but the tips are chestnut edged with green.

Male length from bill to tail of 100 to 115 cm (39 to 45 in) and to the end of a fully grown train as much as 195 to 225 cm (77 to 89 in).

Male (2 The long train feathers (and tarsal spurs) of years old) the male develop only after the second year of life.

Male (4 Fully developed trains are found in birds years old) older than four years.

Fig 4c: Identifying features of male, female and subadults.

Table 1: Muster composition of blue peafowl (following Arcese et al., 1995).

S. Type of Muster Characteristic No 1. All Male muster (AM) All individuals in the muster included adult males (Fig 5a) 2. All Female muster (AF) All individuals in the muster included adult females (Fig 5b) 3. Male-Female mixed muster (MF Mxd) Muster included adult male(s) and adult female(s) 4. Female-Sub adult mixed muster Muster included adult female(s) and sub adults. (FSu Mxd) 5. Female-Chicks mixed muster Muster included adult female and chick(s). (Fig 5c) (FC Mxd) 6. Male-Female-Sub adult mixed Muster included adult male(s), adult female(s) and muster (Fig (MFSu Mxd) Sub adults. 5d)

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 47 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Fig 5a: All Male (AM) Muster. Fig 5b: All Female (AF) Muster.

Fig 5c: Female-Chicks mixed Muster (FC Fig 5d: Male-Female-Sub adult mixed (MFSu Mxd). Mxd) Sub adults.

Juvenile peacock Juvenile peahen

Fig 6a-b: Dancing Juveniles (8-10 months old).

Plume type

Large plumes with ocelli Medium-sized plumes Plumes without ocelli Plumes on the upper rump

Fig 7a: Order of plume molting.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 48 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Earlier also, Johansingh and Murali (1980) has also recorded that peafowls feed on plant materials such as leaves, grass seeds and flower parts, cotton fruits, Acacia seeds, Cyperus rhizomes, standing cereal crops and various insects (termites, grasshoppers, ants and beetles) in cultivated fields, adjoining Acacia plantation and fallow lands. Drisdelle (2007) has also been reported that due to omnivorous nature, blue peafowl, they eat snakes and keep these venomous away from human communities. Indian peafowl can both be advantageous and detrimental for the crops, on one hand, functions as a biocontrol by feeding on harmful pests and on other hand it turns out to be a pest on Fig 7b: Adult male during the molting period of crops. feathers.

5.2 Breeding Biology It has been reported that in such mass roosting they The peak season in southern India is April to break up into small’ groups in the morning with a male May, and June in northern India. Peacocks and harem of three to five females (Ali and Ripley, are polygamous. They have a lek like mating system, 1978), After leaving the roosting areas move where males defend small and clumped territories in into forest clearings, cultivated fields, or other areas for their breeding season (Hillgarth, 1984; Rands et al ., foraging in the early morning hours. In the mid day they 1984; Loyau et al ., 2007). spent their timer under shady trees often very close to Several males may congregate at a lek site and the water sources, where the birds drink and preen at these males are often closely related (Petrie et al ., length (Fig 9). 1999). Males at lek appear to maintain small territories Late in the afternoon, they forage a second time, next to each other and they allow females to visit them and return for another drink at dusk before going to and make no attempt to guard harems. The male roost in the evening (Ali and Ripley, 1978). peafowl display their magnificent trains and use loud calls to attract a harem of three to five females. The 5.1.1 Feeding Behaviour wings are held half open and drooped and it periodically Peafowl is omnivorous, feeds on everything vibrates the long feathers producing a ruffling sound. from grain and green crops to insects, small and The cock faces the hen initially and struts and prances small mammals (Johansingh and Murali, 1980; around and sometimes turns around to display the tail Sathyanarayana, 2005). They forage in agricultural (Ali and Ripley, 1980 ). Males may display even in the fields, parks, and forest outskirts in pair or small absence of females (Fig 11). When a male is displaying, clusters (Fig 10). Berries and drupes of plants such as females do not appear to show any interest and usually Carissa, Lantana, Zizyphus and wild figs ( Ficus ) are continue their foraging (Johnsingh, 1978). Females do apparently favoured foods of peafowl (Dilger and not appear to favour specific males (Rands et al ., 1984). Wallen, 1966; Ali and Ripley, 1987; Johansgard, 1986). The females most often mate with the males who have According to the study of Chopra and Kumar (2014) the most eyespots on their fans and the largest displays. feed on flowers/leaves/fruits parts of Brassica Males may also freeze over food to invite a female in a compestris (flowers, leaves) , Trifolium alexandarium form of courtship feeding (Stokes et al., 1971). After (flowers, leaves), Triticum aestivum (flowers, leaves, mating, the female makes a nest by scraping out a fruits) , Oryza sativa (flowers, leaves, fruits) , hollow in the ground in a concealed area lined with Chenopodium album (flowers, leaves, fruits) , leaves, sticks and other debris. Nests are sometimes Parthenium histerophoresus (flowers, leaves) , Pisum placed on buildings (Vyas, 1994) and in earlier times sativum (flowers, leaves, fruits) , Cicer arientum have been recorded using the disused nest platforms of (flowers, leaves, fruits), Pyrus pyrifolia (flowers, fruits) , the white-rumped vultures. When the nests are (flowers, fruits), Ficus rumphii continuously preyed by the predators, the peahen is (flowers, fruits) in plantation wildlife reported to lay egg on appropriate trees in exceptional sanctuary (SPWS), Bir Sonti Reserve Forest (BSRF), cases (Rajeshwar Prasad and Narayan Singh). They lay and Jhrouli Kalan village (JKAL). They feed on insects three to six buff white eggs in the nest. The peahen lays and on remains of the snake bodies as well. one egg in one day. The female alone incubates the

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 49 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 eggs, which hatch in 28-30 days. The eggs of peafowl hen (Rajeshwar Prasad and Narayan Singh). Males have have also been seen incubated by other birds such as no part in incubating or raising the chicks. However, an

Outskirts of Forests Agricultural fields

Rocky hills Human habitation Fig 8: Peacocks in various habitats.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 50 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Fig 9: Peacocks spent the mid day in shade near source of water.

Fig 10: Foraging Peafowls.

Fig 11: Male peacock performing mating dance to entice a nearby peahen.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 51 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

unusual instance of a male incubating a clutch of eggs roost in their habitats during their inactive period ( i.e ., has been reported (Shivrajkumar, 1957). When the noon and in late evening hours) on dominant tree precocial chicks hatch, they are well developed and able species. They reported 13 species of trees for roosting, to leave the nest within a few hours to follow the namely, Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus female, and are able to feed themselves from birth hybrid, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus rumphii, Syzygium (Whistler, 1949). Downy young may sometimes climb cumini, Zizyphus mauritiana, Tectona grandis, Pyrus on their mothers' back and the female may carry them in pyrifolia, Pyrus cummunis, Mangifera indica, Psidium flight to a safe tree branch (Singh, 1964). By four weeks guajava, Populus populous. Dodia (2011) has reported the chicks begin to grow their crests and by two months that among 14 trees species ( Azadiracta indica, Ficus they resemble the females but are about half their size. bengalensis, Eucalyptus, Cocos nucifera, Prosopsis Peafowl are mature at two to three years of age (Fig 12 juliflora, Mangifera indica, mauritina, Syzium a-d). Males develop their brilliant plumage and cumini, Ficus teseila, Manikara haexandra, Terminalia magnificent trains by the age of three but younger males catappa, Casuariana equisetafolia, Samanaea saman, will practice fan spreading and courtship displays. Adansonnia digitate ) peafowl roosted mainly on Lifespan for Indian peafowl is about 20 years in the Azadiracta indica, Ficus bengalensis, Eucalyptus and wild and up to 30 years in captivity. Cocos nucifera in Gujarat state of India. The peafowls select Ficus bengalensis, Madhuca indica, Cocus 5.3 Roosting Behaviour nucifera, Acacia sp. Albizia lebbeck and Palm tree in Trivedi and Johnsingh (1996) reported that the Trichy district of Tamilnadu. The peafowl preferred the roost of Indian Blue Peafowl gives us lot of primary and secondary branches for roosting (K. management strategies to safe guard the trees in the Kalaiselvan* and N. Ramesh, 2014). The Peafowl in relevant habitats. But information on the roost selection districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are seen is a vital component in the overall habitat selection roosting on large and old Sheesam trees, peepal trees, process. However, very limited information is available chirol, Gulmohar, Neem, imli, etc. (Fig 13). They are on the roost study of Indian Blue Peafowl. Ali and also seen resting on human constructed buildings during Ripley (1983) have reported that large birds need tall the day time (Fig 14). Roosting site may enhance the trees and small birds need small trees for roosting. survival of birds, by virtue of reduced heat loss, Roosting site selection plays a pivotal role in the nesting information sharing and better protection from success of any species. Judicious selection of the predators (Gadgil and Ali, 1975). roosting site enhances the survival of birds, by virtue of reduced heat loss, information sharing, accountability of 6. Threats population and better production from predators (Gadgil After Fifty two magnificent years (2015), after 1972; Tast and Rassi, 1973; Gadgil and Ali, 1975; being named the National Bird of India, the Gyllin et al., 1977). The roost comprises of adult males, mesmerizing peacock faces negligence regarding field females, sub-adults. The height of roost tree, roost surveys and scientific research in Indian subcontinent. height, canopy cover and habitat plays a vital role in When talking about Experts, peacocks are considered choosing the roost trees by Peafowl (Gadgil and Ali, least endangered species, hence uncared for. The 1975). According to Bergmann (1980) and Johansgaurd peafowls are facing various threats that are resulting in (1986), blue peafowl ( Pavo cristatus) has been population decline. observed on the tall trees for roosting, and nesting under a) The veracity about Peacocks is loss and dense bushes with open areas having feeding grounds. destruction of habitats due to urban sprawl that According to Baker and Inglis (1930) peafowls result in shrinking of the natural habitats. preferably roost on high, open trees so that they could b) Jackal ( Canis aureus ), , python get vision from all all directions; and they generally (Python molurus) and Common Indian Monitor select the tallest trees for roosting in forests in order to Lizard ( Varanus bengalensis ) are the common protect themselves from the tree-climbing, night predators (Fig 15). predators such as the and other cats. Johnsingh c) The poaching of Peacock, unthinkable in the past and Murali (1980) found five banyan trees (Ficus is a common practice today. While the young bengalensis) served as the roosting site for about 100 ones are mainly trapped for flesh, male peacocks birds. Roosting of the peafowls is very closely related are killed for their feathers (Fig 16). with the sunset but temperature has no relation with d) Previously, the law permitted the collection of roosting (Navatheekannan, 1984). According to the shed feathers, but once the feathers have been observations of Chopra and Kumar in 2012, peafowl used in crafts it is difficult to say whether they –

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 52 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Fig 12a: A few days old Chick . Fig 12b: 3 months old Chic ks with peahen.

Fig 12c: 4 months old Chicks with Fig 12d: Sub-adults with female . female .

Fig 11 and 12: Various stages in breeding cycle of peafowl .

Fig 13: Peafowls roosting on large trees.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October -December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 53 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Fig 14: Peafowls resting on man-made constructions.

Fig.15: Common predators of Peafowls (Feral and Python).

Fig 16: Male peacocks are killed for their feathers.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 54 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

Table 2: Peafowl drugs used in traditional treatment by tribes in India (Bagde and Jain, 2013; Katewa and Galav, 2006; Vyas et al ., 2009; Mahawar and Jaroli, 2007).

S.No Part of Disease Treatment Place Peacock 1. Legs Ear problem Leg of peacock boiled in oil and used for Tribes of Nandurbar ear problem district of Maharastra 2 Feather Cough Ash of feathers Tribes of Nandurbar district of Maharastra 3. Flesh and fat Contracted limbs Fat content of visceral organs is melted over Tribes of Thirunelveli, small flame and applied externally on Nilgris, Coimbatore and contracted limbs Erode districts of Tamil Nadu. 4 Feather Hiccups 10 gm Ash of feathers+ 10 gm Piper Tribes of Thirunelveli, longum + 10 gm Cuminum cyminum Nilgris, Coimbatore and Thrice a day Erode districts of Tamil Nadu. 5. Feather Headache Feather ash mixed with coconut oil Attappadi Hills of Palghat District in Kerela 6. Flesh Tonic, pus and wound X Tamil Nadu, Kerela, Andra Pradesh, Karanataka 7. Bones Tonic, pus and wound X Tamil Nadu, Kerela, AndraPradesh, Karanataka 8. Feather Cough, asthma and other milk of goat and ash of peacock feathers Pench National Park of respiratory diseases Chhindwara District of Madhya Pradesh 9. Feathers Sexual X Sangola in Solapur impotence district (Maharastra)

10 Feathers To get male child Ash of upper rounded portion of 10 peacock Shekhawati region of feathers is divided into 5 parts. In each part, Rajasthan 5 seeds of Diplocylos palmatus and jaggery are mixed, and bolus each of 20 gm is prepared. One bolus with cow milk daily early morning is given for 5 days.

11 Feathers Asthma Crown of feather burned and Jalore and Barmer And T.B. remaining ash mixed with honey districts, Rajasthan to make paste used orally 12 Leg Ear infection Peacock's leg is rubbed with water and this Baran district, essenced water is used in ear infection Rajasthan

are shed or harvested ones. f) A cause for concern is that most of the peacocks, e) Export, import and internal trade of the peacock according to wildlife experts, are killed during have been banned under the Wildlife Protection the mating season. Wildlife experts opine that it Act. Only shed feathers are allowed to be used is easy to kill a male peacock during the mating for the small scale industry. Another problem in season, when it dances in an open area and can detecting violators is that most peacocks are be easily targeted. We can well imagine how killed outside protected areas; hence several threatened the peacock species would be when poaching cases go unnoticed or unreported the male birds are killed just before mating. (Sabesh, 2010).

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 55 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

g) Because Peacock plumes have decorative, each. Bundles of sorted plumes are sold to a domestic, religious, and commercial value, they large-scale wholesale dealer who sells them to are collected on a large scale. Village boys wholesale buyers in various states of India. A collect molted plumes found scattered in fields, large quantity of plumes is exported. Indra farms, on roofs of houses, etc. They sell these Kumar Sharma (1973). This has to be realized plumes to a retail buyer who visits the villages that if selectively males are removed for feather periodically. The buyer transports bundles of trade, then it might lead even to the complex hundreds of feathers on donkeys and sells them problem of skewed sex ratio of the peafowl to a wholesale dealer. The dealer sorts plumes population. according to sizes and prepares bundles of 200

Summary of information : Population 60 PAs reported the peafowl population to be increasing 32 PAs stable and 5 PAs decreasing remaining consider their population to be unknown Crop depredation 7 PAs reported high crop depredation 55 PAs reported occasional crop depredation 42 PAs reported no crop depredation Feather collection Most PAs was reported to be occasional or non existent Very few PAs reported poaching/trade

h) It is also easier to hunt peacocks because they m) Several tribes in Indian States are using various roost in the same tree every night. It is shocking parts of peafowl to prepare traditional medicines that some of the hunters do not want the feathers (Table 2). to be smeared with blood; hence they first trap n) While the species is becoming locally extinct the bird, break its legs, harvest its tail feathers from several parts of its former range due to and then kill it. habitat conversion and changes in the cropping i) Adult peacocks living near human habitations pattern (Imam, 2005), poaching, and pesticide are sometimes hunted by domestic dogs (R related issues, there is no estimate of the size of Sabesh, 2010). Chicks are somewhat more prone surviving populations and the rate of loss from to than adult birds. Adults living near the entire country. human habitations are also sometimes hunted by domestic dogs (Gurjar R L et al., 2013). 7. Management of Threats in India j) According to data emerged during the study by The status assessment based on questionnaire TRAFFIC in 2008 Agra was the centre of the survey with a well thought-out questionnaire in trade in peacock tail feathers in India, with an Protected and unprotected areas including adjoining entire community (Harries, Kanjars and Khatkis) reserve forests and agricultural landscapes. In 2004, the involved in this trade. Peacock feathers were Endangered Species Management Department of the however on sale in every location surveyed. It Wildlife Institute of India (WII) initiated gathering was estimated that around 20 million peacock information on the status of the Indian Peafowl. tail feathers were in trade annually in the areas a) Since 2006, the Institute has also sent surveyed. This study concluded that the trade in questionnaires to 350 District Collectors and 1,470 tail feathers of Indian Peafowl in India was not a NGOs, NGIs and other professional research threat to the species. However, there was a need organizations. However, in spite of the fact that to undertake detailed investigation into the peafowl are perhaps equally encountered in the poaching of the species for meat and others. non forested landscapes of the country, so far only k) Sometimes death is caused due to accidental 106 (6%) have responded. Very few NGOs have exposure to pesticides but sometimes mass provided information in a systematic manner. poisoning is also done in order to kill and collect b) The WII plans to intensify the nation-wide feathers from the dead birds. Mass poisoning information gathering on the status of Indian becomes easier due to the territorial nature of Peafowl through networking with a wider level of Indian Peafowl (Mazumdar S, 2006). institutions and organizations as well as initiating l) Intentional poisoning is also done by the farmers a major research project on the biology, ecology to protect the crop damage by the peafowls.

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 56 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758

and approaches of community based conservation up in 1919 after the First World War. According to initiatives. a rough estimate, there are more than 1,000 c) In this connection, it is noteworthy that as part of peacocks and peahen in the sanctuary. Also, the nation-wide campaign Save the National Bird, minimal human intervention has helped in the WPA-India had put forward certain proposals, breeding of these birds. including a rapid survey to assess the current h) Morachi Chincholi on Pune - Ahmednagar Road, status of the species, to the National Board for the name itself declares that the village belongs to Wildlife headed by the Prime Minister. In its the Peafowl. Over generations, people of this meeting held on 19 June 2006, the Board approved village have provided sanctuary to a large number a rapid survey to assess the current status of the of Peafowl. Early each morning, the Peafowl species and periodic monitoring and proper descend from the lofty tamarind trees in the village protection measures (BC Choudhury and S and roam the lanes of the village to be fed by the Sathyakumar, 2008). people, before retreating to the shade for the d) The Ministry of Environment and Forests is under hottest portion of the day. Their food includes the process of banning trade in peacock feathers. It Grains, Insects, small Reptiles, small Mammals, has been brought to the Ministry’s attention that Berries, Drupes, Wild Figs and some cultivated the demand for the tail feathers is more than the Crops. supply, thus leading to the rampant poaching and i) Morena District in Madhya Pradesh gets its name killing of the birds for the purpose of obtaining due to abundance of peafowl population. The their feathers. Hence the Ministry proposes to people are concerned and the peafowl lives in amend sections 43(3)(a) and 44 of the Wildlife harmony with the humans. Protection Act, 1972 which deals with the transfer j) Todi village in Moth Block of Jhansi district in and sale of the tail feathers of peacocks. Currently, Uttar Pradesh adores the peafowl. They provide the Act prohibits the killing of peacocks as well as water and grains for the peafowl that do not cause the export of tail feathers or articles made from any harm to their crops. The villagers protect them them. But, the Act allows domestic trade in from hunters and instruct the younger generation feathers or articles under the assumption that these to take care of the peafowl and their chicks. are naturally shed. Following the amendment, section 43(3)(a) and section 44 will no longer 8. Recommendations for Improved exempt those possessing a certificate of ownership Conservational Actions for peacocks from transferring or selling the tail It is imperative to understand the changes in feather and articles or trophies made from them (R habitat and population status of these birds on a Sabesh, 2010). constant basis. The conservation priorities required e) In 2013, the Central Government banned the use include:- of peacock feather in handicrafts and jewellery. a) Mapping the habitat and distribution of peafowl f) The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has been throughout the country. recently amended by the cabinet to make trade of b) Temporal analysis of change in their habitat, and body parts of peacocks an offence equivalent to c) Identification of “high risk areas” and potential punishment for killing other non-endangered sites for their conservation. species. A person caught selling or purchasing The volume of trade needs to be enumerated to analyze peacock feathers or trophies could be jailed for up the adverse affects of the peafowl population so as to to two years under the amended law although take proper conservation action. If any illegality is having peacock feathers by citizens will not be a found, strict enforcement action should be taken and, if crime. required necessary policy change need to be done. g) Karnataka has two peacock sanctuaries, one Maintenance of habitat that is ideal for peafowl . The at Adichunchanagiri and another at Bankapura roosting trees should be protected and plantation of the fort called Bankapur Peacock sanctuary in Haveri same should be encouraged. Crops like maize, peas, District. The peacock sanctuary in Bankapur is the jowar and horse gram can be grown for the peafowl in only second sanctuary in the country that is areas where population have declined drastically. exclusively engaged in the conservation and breeding of peacocks ("Peacock Paradise"). The 8.1 Awareness Drive Government of India declared Bankapura as a Since the nests are located in protected areas as peacock sanctuary on June 9, 2006. This sanctuary well as inhabited human settlements, it is essential to is situated on 139 acres of land. The sanctuary is motivate the villagers as well as forest officials to located on the cattle breeding farm which was set

Journal of Wildlife Research | October-December, 2016 | Vol 4 | Issue 4 | Pages 42-59 © 2016 Jakraya Publications (P) Ltd 57 Kushwaha and Kumar… A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 monitor the sites. Awareness and education genetic, molecular and microbial aspect of peafowl. programmes for localites especially the youths, to Each Indian State should have a Peacock Sanctuary so encourage them to contribute in peafowl conservation. that the people consider it important to protect the Local community plays a key role in conservation of National Bird. any species. To promote the conservation of National Bird and their habitats outside core protected areas by 9. Conclusion establishing Peacock Management Areas (PMAs). The review article may be useful regarding the Community-based conservation (CBC) through local information about the Indian Peafowl including level community participation should be devised and distribution, population, mythology, morphology, implemented to prevent poaching and poisoning of behavior, ecology, threats and conservational peafowl. Volunteers who are ready to monitor the site management. It is concluded that field surveys and should be appointed at each vulture colony, and inform verifications are needed to provide pragmatic data on the forest office and the organizations/NGOs working in the current status of the Indian Peafowl. The Indian that region, about any dead vulture found. This way we peafowl is known for its adaptive nature, a factor can investigate the reason of death. Any further delay responsible for its extended and cherished association regarding their conservation may lead to the extinction with the populace in India. The diverse culture and of Nature’s Cleaners. religions of India has valued the absolute charisma, unsurpassable and unrivaled gorgeousness of the 8.2 Further Research Work Peafowl. Conservation of the Indian National Bird is Further research work is suggested to establish at important ecologically and ethically. least a baseline data for population estimation, ecological studies, and parasitological, hematological,

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