DOCSLIB.ORG

A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 Presence Or Absence in an Area Is a Good Indicator of the North-East India

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Review on Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) Linnaeus, 1758 Presence Or Absence in an Area Is a Good Indicator of the North-East India JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH Journal homepage: www.jakraya.com/journal/jwr ORIGINAL ARTICLE A Review on Indian Peafowl ( Pavo cristatus ) Linnaeus, 1758 Sonika Kushwaha and Akhilesh Kumar Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Abstract India declared the Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus ) as National Bird of India in 1963. In India, it is given the utmost protection by its inclusion in the Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Indian Peafowl is the largest among the pheasants. It belongs to the family Phasianidae and order Galliformes. Pavo cristatus have received mention in various cultures and *Corresponding Author: mythology. It is locally common endemic breeding resident of India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The preferred habitats of this pennant species 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 animal 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 years 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 feathers Accepted: 27/11/2016 and meat, habitat destruction, 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. Salim Ali, 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 pheasant 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 birds 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 pride. 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 tail 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, partridges and quails, commonly known as occupies a sacred position in Hindu mythology subject ‘game birds’ (Delacour, 1977). The family Phasianidae of voluminous folklore as well as in Sanskrit, 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 Krishna who adorns the peacock feather on pheasants, 17 species occur in India with very little his forehead. In Hinduism, the image of the god of ecological information (Fuller and Garson, 2000). thunder, rains and war, Indra, 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. 'vahana' 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 Genus: 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/Congo peafowl (A. edicts displayed the peacock prominently. The famous congensis) in Belgian Congo and (Fig 3b). Sanchi Stupa of around the same period has winged c) Indian Peafowl or blue peafowl (Pavo lions and peacocks that were considered royal, hence cristatus) in Indian subcontinent (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 peafowls 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 fowl 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.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Congo Peacock – an Update
    Congo Peacock – an update The discovery of Congo Peacock Afropavo congensis was one of the most sensational ornithological events of the 20 th century, partly because such a large bird had eluded discovery and partly because of its potential affinity with Asiatic species (1). It was in 1936 that James Chapin found two mounted specimens put away on top of a cabinet at the Belgian Congo Museum (now Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, near Brussels), having been misidentified as Pavo cristatus for 20 years, and thus considered uninteresting (2). It was rediscovered and photographed by wildlife film-maker Alan Root in 1993 (3, 4). It has remained an elusive and rarely seen and photographed species so it was with great interest and excitement to receive this photograph of a female Congo Peacock located by Mark Van Beirs (http://www.birdquest-tours.com/news ) ABC member Michel Louette, the former head of Ornithology at the RMCA writes to say that his late student Emile Mulotwa at the University of Kisangani, worked on this species for his doctoral thesis in 2008. During this work, he made many sightings (5-7). But Emile died sadly in a plane accident in 2011. References 1. Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. and Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa Volume II, pp. 11-13. 2. Chapin, J.P. (1936) A new peacock-like bird from the Belgian Congo. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 29, pp. 1-6. 3. Fanshawe, J.H. (1994): Elusive Congo Peacock found by filmmaker Alan Root. ABC Bulletin 1(1) p 27.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Distribution of Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) in the South Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
    Journal of Scientific Research & Reports 26(1): 1-7, 2020; Article no.JSRR.43520 ISSN: 2320-0227 Status and Distribution of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in the South Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India M. Yogeshwari1 and K. Varunprasath1* 1Department of Zoology, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. Authors’ contributions This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript. Article Information DOI: 10.9734/JSRR/2020/v26i130207 Editor(s): (1) Dr. Angela Gorgoglione, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, USA. (2) Dr. Ify L. Nwaogazie, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Reviewers: (1) Nikunj B. Gajera, Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology, India. (2) Milan Kharel, Central Campus of Technology (TU), Nepal. (3) Martin Potgieter, Department of Biodiversity, University of Limpopo, South Africa. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/43520 Received 01 December 2018 Accepted 04 February 2019 Original Research Article Published 06 February 2020 ABSTRACT The Indian Peafowls (Pavo crisatus) is Least Concern (LC) category on Red list and Schedule I species as per Wildlife Protection Act (1972) in India. Indian Peafowl (Pavo crisatus) population status and distribution was studied in South Coimbatore district especially in Polllachi area from August 2017 to January 2018. The study carried out in 13 villages in South Coimbatore including Nchavelampalayam, Chandrapuram, Kollupalayam, Chellampalayam, Marampudungigoundanur, Athanaripalayam, Kotturmalayandipattinam, Vallakundapuram, Vedasanthur, Kanchampalayam, Sangampalayam, Angalankuruchi, Paramadaiyur Village etc. From the present study, 405 direct sighting consists of 1283 Peafowls in 13 villages were recorded.
    [Show full text]
  • A Molecular Phylogeny of the Pheasants and Partridges Suggests That These Lineages Are Not Monophyletic R
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Vol. 11, No. 1, February, pp. 38–54, 1999 Article ID mpev.1998.0562, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on A Molecular Phylogeny of the Pheasants and Partridges Suggests That These Lineages Are Not Monophyletic R. T. Kimball,* E. L. Braun,*,† P. W. Zwartjes,* T. M. Crowe,‡,§ and J. D. Ligon* *Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131; †National Center for Genome Resources, 1800 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505; ‡Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Capetown, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa; and §Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024-5192 Received October 8, 1997; revised June 2, 1998 World partridges are smaller and widely distributed in Cytochrome b and D-loop nucleotide sequences were Asia, Africa, and Europe. Most partridge species are used to study patterns of molecular evolution and monochromatic and primarily dull colored. None exhib- phylogenetic relationships between the pheasants and its the extreme or highly specialized ornamentation the partridges, which are thought to form two closely characteristic of the pheasants. related monophyletic galliform lineages. Our analyses Although the order Galliformes is well defined, taxo- used 34 complete cytochrome b and 22 partial D-loop nomic relationships are less clear within the group sequences from the hypervariable domain I of the (Verheyen, 1956), due to the low variability in anatomi- D-loop, representing 20 pheasant species (15 genera) and 12 partridge species (5 genera). We performed cal and osteological traits (Blanchard, 1857, cited in parsimony, maximum likelihood, and distance analy- Verheyen, 1956; Lowe, 1938; Delacour, 1977).
    [Show full text]
  • Wild Turkey Education Guide
    Table of Contents Section 1: Eastern Wild Turkey Ecology 1. Eastern Wild Turkey Quick Facts………………………………………………...pg 2 2. Eastern Wild Turkey Fact Sheet………………………………………………….pg 4 3. Wild Turkey Lifecycle……………………………………………………………..pg 8 4. Eastern Wild Turkey Adaptations ………………………………………………pg 9 Section 2: Eastern Wild Turkey Management 1. Wild Turkey Management Timeline…………………….……………………….pg 18 2. History of Wild Turkey Management …………………...…..…………………..pg 19 3. Modern Wild Turkey Management in Maryland………...……………………..pg 22 4. Managing Wild Turkeys Today ……………………………………………….....pg 25 Section 3: Activity Lesson Plans 1. Activity: Growing Up WILD: Tasty Turkeys (Grades K-2)……………..….…..pg 33 2. Activity: Calling All Turkeys (Grades K-5)………………………………..…….pg 37 3. Activity: Fit for a Turkey (Grades 3-5)…………………………………………...pg 40 4. Activity: Project WILD adaptation: Too Many Turkeys (Grades K-5)…..…….pg 43 5. Activity: Project WILD: Quick, Frozen Critters (Grades 5-8).……………….…pg 47 6. Activity: Project WILD: Turkey Trouble (Grades 9-12………………….……....pg 51 7. Activity: Project WILD: Let’s Talk Turkey (Grades 9-12)..……………..………pg 58 Section 4: Additional Activities: 1. Wild Turkey Ecology Word Find………………………………………….…….pg 66 2. Wild Turkey Management Word Find………………………………………….pg 68 3. Turkey Coloring Sheet ..………………………………………………………….pg 70 4. Turkey Coloring Sheet ..………………………………………………………….pg 71 5. Turkey Color-by-Letter……………………………………..…………………….pg 72 6. Five Little Turkeys Song Sheet……. ………………………………………….…pg 73 7. Thankful Turkey…………………..…………………………………………….....pg 74 8. Graph-a-Turkey………………………………….…………………………….…..pg 75 9. Turkey Trouble Maze…………………………………………………………..….pg 76 10. What Animals Made These Tracks………………………………………….……pg 78 11. Drinking Straw Turkey Call Craft……………………………………….….……pg 80 Section 5: Wild Turkey PowerPoint Slide Notes The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or physical or mental disability.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Food and Feeding Habits of Blue Peafowl, Pavo Cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 in District Kurukshetra, Haryana (India)
    International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences (IJRSB) Volume 2, Issue 6, July 2014, PP 11-16 ISSN 2349-0357 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0365 (Online) www.arcjournals.org A Study of Food and Feeding Habits of Blue Peafowl, Pavo Cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 in District Kurukshetra, Haryana (India) Girish Chopra, Tarsem Kumar Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119 (INDIA) [email protected] Summary: Present study was conducted to determine the food and feeding habits of blue peafowl in three study sites, namely, Saraswati plantation wildlife sanctuary (SPWS), Bir Sonti Reserve Forest (BSRF), and Jhrouli Kalan village (JKAL). Point count method (Blondel et al., 1981) was followed during periodic fortnightly visits to all the three selected study sites. The peafowls were observed to feed on flowers, fruits, leaves of 11, 8 and 8 plant species respectively. These were sighted to feed on Brassica compestris (flowers, leaves), Trifolium alexandarium (flowers, leaves), Triticum aestivum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Oryza sativa (flowers, leaves, fruits), Chenopodium album (flowers, leaves, fruits), Parthenium histerophoresus (flowers, leaves), Pisum sativum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Cicer arientum (flowers, leaves, fruits), Pyrus pyrifolia (flowers, fruits), Ficus benghalensis (flowers, fruits), Ficus rumphii (flowers, fruits). They were also observed feeding on insects in all three study sites and on remains of the snake bodies at the BSRF and JKAL study site. The findings revealed that the Indian peafowl, on one hand, functions as a predator of agricultural pests but, on the other hand, is itself a pest on agricultural crops. Keywords: Blue peafowl, Food, Feeding Habits, Herbs, Shrubs, Trees. 1. INTRODUCTION Birds are warm-blooded, bipedal, oviparous vertebrates characterized by bony beak, pneumatic bones, feathers and wings.
    [Show full text]
  • (Pavo Cristatus): People Perception at Annur and Avinasi Areas of Tamil Nadu, India
    Journal of Zoological Research Volume 3, Issue 1, 2019, PP 6-12 ISSN 2637-5575 Conflict with Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus): People Perception at Annur and Avinasi areas of Tamil Nadu, India Veeramani.A1*, Dalson Mani.J2 and Mohanakrishnan.H3 1 Government Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Biologist, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India 3 Government Arts College, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: Veeramani Arunachalam, Assistant Professor of Zoology, Government Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam – 612 002, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: [email protected]. ABSTRACT The present investigation is indent to study on Blue Peafowl Pavo cristatus in Annur and Avinasi areas of Tamil Nadu. Abundance and problems of peafowls in selected cultivated fields were collected using questionnaire survey method. Interviews were conducted and discussion was made with the local peoples regarding the details of peafowl. The opinion on the local cultivators are the high abundance of peafowls in the study areas may be due to the availability of sufficient food plants, insects, roosting trees and a good ground cover for breeding and protection. The cultivators opined that the peafowl feeds on a wide range of crops such as beans, chilly, capsicum, tomato, maize. Only very few incidents of poisoning happened in the recent past, otherwise the peafowls are the pet animal of the people living around. Government and non- governmental agencies should keep a vigil against poaching and poisoning of the peafowls and make aware of the people about the importance of protecting our National Bird. Keywords: Peafowl, Questionnaire Survey, Roosting, Food Preferences, Conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • A Molecular Phylogeny of the Peacock-Pheasants (Galliformes: Polyplectron Spp.) Indicates Loss and Reduction of Ornamental Traits and Display Behaviours
    Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (2001), 73: 187–198. With 3 figures doi:10.1006/bijl.2001.0536, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on A molecular phylogeny of the peacock-pheasants (Galliformes: Polyplectron spp.) indicates loss and reduction of ornamental traits and display behaviours REBECCA T. KIMBALL1,2∗, EDWARD L. BRAUN1,3, J. DAVID LIGON1, VITTORIO LUCCHINI4 and ETTORE RANDI4 1Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA 2Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 3Department of Plant Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 4Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, via Ca` Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy Received 4 September 2000; accepted for publication 3 March 2001 The South-east Asian pheasant genus Polyplectron is comprised of six or seven species which are characterized by ocelli (ornamental eye-spots) in all but one species, though the sizes and distribution of ocelli vary among species. All Polyplectron species have lateral displays, but species with ocelli also display frontally to females, with feathers held erect and spread to clearly display the ocelli. The two least ornamented Polyplectron species, one of which completely lacks ocelli, have been considered the primitive members of the genus, implying that ocelli are derived. We examined this hypothesis phylogenetically using complete mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences, as well as sequences from intron G in the nuclear ovomucoid gene, and found that the two least ornamented species are in fact the most recently evolved. Thus, the absence and reduction of ocelli and other ornamental traits in Polyplectronare recent losses.
    [Show full text]
  • Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Paul Johnsgard Collection Papers in the Biological Sciences 1983 Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns in Pheasants" (1983). Paul Johnsgard Collection. 17. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/johnsgard/17 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Paul Johnsgard Collection by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. HYBRIDIZATION & ZOOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN PHEASANTS PAUL A. JOHNSGARD The purpose of this paper is to infonn members of the W.P.A. of an unusual scientific use of the extent and significance of hybridization among pheasants (tribe Phasianini in the proposed classification of Johnsgard~ 1973). This has occasionally occurred naturally, as for example between such locally sympatric species pairs as the kalij (Lophura leucol11elana) and the silver pheasant (L. nycthelnera), but usually occurs "'accidentally" in captive birds, especially in the absence of conspecific mates. Rarely has it been specifically planned for scientific purposes, such as for obtaining genetic, morphological, or biochemical information on hybrid haemoglobins (Brush. 1967), trans­ ferins (Crozier, 1967), or immunoelectrophoretic comparisons of blood sera (Sato, Ishi and HiraI, 1967). The literature has been summarized by Gray (1958), Delacour (1977), and Rutgers and Norris (1970). Some of these alleged hybrids, especially those not involving other Galliformes, were inadequately doculnented, and in a few cases such as a supposed hybrid between domestic fowl (Gallus gal/us) and the lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) can be discounted.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Hematological Indices of Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) Kept at Wildlife Breeding Centre, Gatwala, Faisalabad, Pakistan
    Journal of Zoological Research Volume 4, Issue 1, 2020, PP 29-33 ISSN 2637-5575 Assessment of Hematological Indices of Indian Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) Kept at Wildlife Breeding Centre, Gatwala, Faisalabad, Pakistan Misbah Sarwar1* Zahid Ali1, and Muhammad Bilal Chaudhary2 1Punjab Wildlife Research Centre, Gatwala, Faisalabad Department of Wildlife & Parks, Punjab Pakistan 2Department of Zoology, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan *Corresponding Author: Misbah Sarwar, Punjab Wildlife Research Centre, Gatwala, Faisalabad Department of Wildlife & Parks, Punjab Pakistan. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) or blue peafowl has been maintained in captivity since long where due to selective breeding, several color mutations/varieties have appeared of which white peafowl, black-shouldered peafowl and pied peafowl are common. Since, hematological analysis is crucial for clinical diagnosis of wild and captive avifauna, so we collected blood samples from healthy male blue peafowl, white peafowl and black- shouldered peafowl kept at Wildlife Breeding Centre, Gatwala, Faisalabad and compared erythrocyte and leucocyte indices among them. Our results indicated that blood physiological values for MO (%), Hgb, HCT, MCH and MCHC were significantly different (P<0.05) between blue peafowl and white peafowl whereas MCV and RDW were significantly different (P<0.05) between blue peafowl and black-shouldered peafowl. The comparison of hematological parameters between white peafowl and black-shouldered peafowl showed that GR(%), RBC, HCT, MCV and MCHC differ significantly (P<0.05) between the two varieties. Our results support the studies indicating high quality color patterns reflect increased resistance and immunity to pathogens. Keywords: Indian peafowl, Color Mutations, hematology. INTRODUCTION 2005; Takahashi and Hasegawa, 2008; Harikrishnan et al., 2010, Naseer et al., 2017).
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Abundance of Indian Peafowl and Their Nesting Preferences Within Chandigarh City and Its Adjoining Areas
    European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 7, Issue 8, 2020 DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF INDIAN PEAFOWL AND THEIR NESTING PREFERENCES WITHIN CHANDIGARH CITY AND ITS ADJOINING AREAS Sandaldeep Kaur1 and Tejdeep Kaur Kler2 1Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, PG Govt. College for Girls, Chandigarh 2Principal Ornithologist, Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana Abstract - Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is widely distributed bird but its status is unknown in urban landscape. The aim of the study was to estimate the distribution and abundance and nesting preferences of Indian Peafowl in Chandigarh and adjoining areas from January 2017 to December 2017. Two locations in the city viz: Peacock Garden, Sector- 39 (location I), near bus stand Sector- 43 (location II) two locations from adjoining areas i.e. village Palsora (location III) and village Maloya (location IV) were selected. Point transect method was used during study. The total inhabitants of Indian Peafowl was recorded to be 30-35 at location I, 15-20 at location II, 10-15 at location III and IV with flock size ranged between 7-10 individuals. The sex ratio was highly skewed towards females at all selected locations. The thick, thorny and scrub vegetation cover was found to be the most preferred habitat. Indian Peafowl devoted maximum time in feeding and standing followed by roosting, calling and display. Roosting was observed on Azadiracta indica (Neem), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Acacia nilotica (Kikar), Melia azedarach (Dhek). Breeding activities of Indian Peafowl was commenced in the month of April till first week of October. At location I, II, III and IV nests observed were 7, 5, 3, and 2 respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Peafowl in Spring, Peacocks Begin Establishing Leks, Incubation Period Begins
    may be impressed with the peacock’s beauty, Peahens conceal their nests, a simple scrape Visitor Centers & Recreation Services the true target of all his glamorous excess is lined with grass, in thick vegetation. The eggs ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM his potential mate, the peahen. are laid every other day until a total of up to Fremont 510-796-0199, [email protected] eight is reached, at which point the 28 day Peafowl In spring, peacocks begin establishing leks, incubation period begins. The peachicks are BLACK DIAMOND MINES a group of small adjacent territories, each of “precocial,” meaning they are born with their Antioch 925-757-2620, [email protected] which is the domain of a single male. Inter- eyes open, feathered, and ready to walk soon ested females visit the lek, assessing the vari- COYOTE HILLS REGIONAL PARK after hatching. Peahens are attentive mothers, Fremont 510-795-9385, [email protected] ous males before choosing a mate. In order but the peacock is not involved in raising his to attract mates, the peacock employs his young. The next generation of peahens will be CRAB COVE at CROWN BEACH most striking feature, the breathtaking train ready to reproduce at one or two years of age Alameda 510-521-6887, [email protected] of feathers often referred to as the peacock’s while the males need three years to develop tail. This 4 foot long collection of hundreds SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS a full train of display plumage. Peafowl are Sunol 925-862-2601, [email protected] of feathers is actually made up of the upper hardy birds and may live 20 years or more.
    [Show full text]
  • La Brea and Beyond: the Paleontology of Asphalt-Preserved Biotas
    La Brea and Beyond: The Paleontology of Asphalt-Preserved Biotas Edited by John M. Harris Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Science Series 42 September 15, 2015 Cover Illustration: Pit 91 in 1915 An asphaltic bone mass in Pit 91 was discovered and exposed by the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art in the summer of 1915. The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History resumed excavation at this site in 1969. Retrieval of the “microfossils” from the asphaltic matrix has yielded a wealth of insect, mollusk, and plant remains, more than doubling the number of species recovered by earlier excavations. Today, the current excavation site is 900 square feet in extent, yielding fossils that range in age from about 15,000 to about 42,000 radiocarbon years. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Archives, RLB 347. LA BREA AND BEYOND: THE PALEONTOLOGY OF ASPHALT-PRESERVED BIOTAS Edited By John M. Harris NO. 42 SCIENCE SERIES NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Luis M. Chiappe, Vice President for Research and Collections John M. Harris, Committee Chairman Joel W. Martin Gregory Pauly Christine Thacker Xiaoming Wang K. Victoria Brown, Managing Editor Go Online to www.nhm.org/scholarlypublications for open access to volumes of Science Series and Contributions in Science. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Los Angeles, California 90007 ISSN 1-891276-27-1 Published on September 15, 2015 Printed at Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas PREFACE Rancho La Brea was a Mexican land grant Basin during the Late Pleistocene—sagebrush located to the west of El Pueblo de Nuestra scrub dotted with groves of oak and juniper with Sen˜ora la Reina de los A´ ngeles del Rı´ode riparian woodland along the major stream courses Porciu´ncula, now better known as downtown and with chaparral vegetation on the surrounding Los Angeles.
    [Show full text]