Java Green Peafowl(pavo Muticus)
Other
Names: Green-necked Peafowl, Burmese Peafowl, Java Peafowl
Subspecies: There are three subspecies: (P. m. muticus) native to
Malaysia and Java, (P. m. spicifer) from northeastern India &
northwestern Myanmar (now believed to be extinct) and (P. m.
imperator) found in Indo-China.
Range: South-east Asia
Habitat: Forests and scrubland.
Description: A very beautiful bird, more upright in stance than the
India Blue. The overall coloration of metallic green feathers tipped
with black, give the appearance of scales. The crest of this species
stands nearly erect compared to the broad crest of its Indian
relative; bare skin of blue and yellow beneath the eye, dark
bluish-green metallic feathers on the remainder of the head and neck.
The wing coverts are dark green and blue, with the flight feathers
chestnut. The tail is similar to the India Blue, but is somewhat
darker at the base and has a golden sheen throughout the train. There
is slight variation between the subspecies: muticus is the brightest
green of the three with bright iridescent blue and green wing coverts;
spificer is much duller and there is more blue in the plumage than
muticus and imperator; imperator is similar to muticus, but can be
distinguished by having darker flanks, abdomen and secondaries and
much lighter facial skin.
Description, Female: Unlike the India Blue, the hen of this species is
similar to the male. She lacks the brilliant sheen and gloss of the
male, but does have the scaling of the feathers. Her tail is also
fairly long. Some hens may develop spurs.
Status in Wild: The Green Peafowl, as a whole species, is considrered
vulnerable to endangered in the wild. spicifer is believed now to be
extinct; imperator are found in scattered populations in Yunnan,
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand; muticus is found only
on Java, with perhaps only 1,000 left in the wild.
Misc. Natural History Notes: Now eliminated from much of the originial
range. Habitat loss and hunting primary threats. Pavo is Latin for
peafowl. muticus is Latin for docked or curtailed.
Avicultural Data
Status in Aviculture: This species is fairly common in aviaries,
however, it is unknown the purity of captive birds.
Breeding Season: Late April to June
Breeding Age: Third year, however, second year hens may lay fertile
eggs if kept with an older male.
Clutch Size: 4-6
Incubation Period: 26-28; the chicks grow quickly, able to fly good
distances at two weeks of age.
Misc. Aviculture Notes: Not as hardy as the India Blue, this species
requires protection from the winter in northern climates. Males can
sometimes be aggressive towards their keepers.
Will hybridize with Pavo cristatus in captivity and this is done on
purpose to produce birds known as the Spaulding . Since this species
is declining in the wild, a good captive breeding base is needed to
insure its survival. The fact that these hybrids are produced as
greatly damaged the captive bloodlines and breeding hybrids should be
discouraged.
