pavo

Pavo is a genus of birds in the pheasant family (Phasianidae) that includes the two extant species commonly known as the peafowl: the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and the green peafowl (Pavo muticus).

Adult males, or peacocks, have iridescent blue and green plumage and a long, ornate tail with eye-like spots. Females, or peahens, have duller brownish plumage. Males display their trains during courtship and emit loud calls to attract females.

Pavo species are native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia and have adapted to a range of habitats, from forests and scrub to agricultural landscapes. They are often found near water sources and can persist in human-modified environments where food and cover are available. Their populations are impacted by habitat loss, hunting, and fragmentation of range in some areas, though responses vary by region and species.

Their diet is omnivorous, including seeds, fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Outside the breeding season, they form loose groups, while breeding involves elaborate courtship displays, with the male's train more prominently displayed to attract females. Incubation and parental care are typically shared, but females do most of the incubation.

Conservation status varies by species: Pavo cristatus is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting a relatively wide distribution and population; Pavo muticus is classified as Endangered due to habitat loss and hunting pressures, with significant declines in several parts of its range.

The name Pavo is also used for a southern sky constellation named after the peacock. Introduced in the 16th century by Petrus Plancius, it lies in the southern hemisphere and contains the bright star Alpha Pavonis.