Peafowl are beautiful creatures, but the different species can seem intimidating at first glance.
Peacocks come in five primary colors, each with its name, and peahens have three colors.
In addition to these primary colors, there are also silver, pied, and albino varieties of Peafowl!
These different types of Peafowl can be intimidating at first glance, so we’ve broken them down into eight categories based on what kind of environment you want to keep them in and how much work you want to put into taking care of them.
We’ve put together this guide to help you decide on the best type of Peafowl for your situation, regardless of your available space or animal experience.
Hopefully, it will help simplify the process so you can enjoy these beautiful birds in your life!
1. White-Dotted Peafowl
Due to deforestation, the White Dotted Peeafowl, also known as the Ceylon Peahen, is native to Sri Lanka and can be found in rainforests, jungles, and grasslands.
These different types of Peafowl are beautiful and have large heads with a red eye-ring around their eyes.
They also have blue cheek patches, and the males display iridescent neck feathers that show off when looking for a mate.
People may not know about these birds because they are pretty shy and prefer solitude, so it’s essential to ensure you place them in an environment where they will not feel overwhelmed.
The White Dotted Peeafowl generally weigh between 3-6 pounds and live up to 20 years old. They like eating grain, fruits, and vegetables but should be given feed on occasion, too.
2. White-Fronted Peafowl
Females are buff-colored and lack distinctive head patterning. They have long tails and wings covering most of their bodies when they fly or display at other birds.
These different types of Peafowl feed on fruit, vegetables, grains, insects, snails, and even small animals like mice if necessary to survive.
The males make a loud call called a roop, which sounds like an eerie scream with three-second intervals between each call. White-fronted peacocks can live up to 25 years in captivity with proper care and feeding.
In areas where these peacocks thrive, white-fronted peacocks have often been considered pests because they feast on corn crops.
If you want to attract these large birds into your yard, plant large trees that produce fruit year-round, as well as some tasty treats like peanuts and sunflower seeds.
3. Indian Peafowl
The Indian peacock (or simply the peacock) is a large, brightly colored bird with a long tail. They are found in the forests of India and Sri Lanka.
These different types of Peafowl have been used as the national symbol of India since 1947, and their image appears in Indian currency.
The male’s plumage is mainly blue, with an iridescent greenish-purple sheen that covers most of its body; females are brownish.
Out from this shimmering plumage arises a spectacular pair of fan-shaped ear tufts that can be pretty impressive on close inspection.
4. Indian Golden Peafowl
Indian Golden Peacocks are one of the most common and well-known types of peacocks. Indian Goldens, like all other peacocks, have a crest atop their head, with feathers that can grow as long as 12 inches.
They also have long tail feathers. Males usually grow to be about 60 inches tall, females about 55 inches tall.
The males can weigh up to 18 pounds, while females can weigh up to 15 pounds. These different types of Peafowl are very majestic and beautiful! This may be a good option if you’re looking for something a little more on the smaller side.
5. Purple Spangled Peafowl
The Purple Spangled Peacock is also called the Jewel of India. The male has a beautiful metallic blue body with a purple neck and green head, while the female has a brown back and green head. This bird originates from the Indian subcontinent.
These different types of Peafowl are not generally kept in captivity because they are challenging to breed. However, they have become popular as exhibition birds.
The males grow more than 3 feet tall (1 meter) and weigh up to 20 pounds (9 kg). Females weigh less than 12 pounds (5 kg) and are about two-thirds the height of the male.
6. Chestnut Rump
The Chestnut Rump is an elegant bird with a crest known to reach more than six feet in height. These different types of Peafowl are very vocal, and their call can be heard from miles away.
The Chestnut Rump eats almost anything, including various bugs, seeds, leaves, and fruit, but their favorite food is the honeycomb.
One downside to the Chestnut Rump is that they have not been bred in captivity like most other breeds of peacocks, so there are only a few zoos in the world that have this particular type of peacock on display.
Another downside is that the Chestnut Rumps are pretty expensive. If you find yourself in Japan, Russia, or India and want to see these peacocks for yourself, then you’ll need to hire a guide because, without them, it will be challenging to find them as they blend in well with their environment.
7. Phoenix Red
Peacocks are the most colorful and well-known type of Peafowl, but other varieties can be just as stunning.
Phoenix Red is a peafowl bred from Green Indian and Plum Eye White. This variety has a green body with red wings, a redhead, red tail feathers, and white eye rings.
The males will grow wattles on their necks during mating season. Their natural habitat ranges from semi-tropical to temperate zones in India and China.
Their diet consists of grains, corn, fruit, berries, insects, and small vertebrates like frogs or lizards. Farmers often raise them in an area where they can roam free around ponds or rivers since they do not typically drink water.
8. Green Wing Gold Lustre
Green Wing Green Back Peacocks are similar to the Green Wing Gold Lustre in that they also have green, bronze, and gold colors.
The difference is that this Peafowl type has a bluish-green back instead of bronze, as seen with other types.
This means they will be lighter in color than other peacocks but still maintain dark blue feathers on the head and tail area.
Like all other species, these birds do not grow their feathers yearly, so it takes about two years before new ones come in to replace the old.
They can live up to 20 years if taken care of properly. One thing to keep in mind when considering this type is that they do not fly very well, which may make them more difficult for people who want their peacocks outside all day or want them on their property at night.
9. Silver Pheasant Peafowl
The silver pheasant peafowl, or Tragopan erythraeus, is a bird with a long, white crest and long, red feathers on its body. The males have longer tail feathers than the females. They are found in India and Southeast Asia.
The males are more brightly colored than the females and can weigh up to 7 pounds. Females can be as large as 8 pounds but are usually around 5-6 pounds. The male is 3 feet tall, while the female stands 2 feet tall.
Female silver pheasants are similar in color to male pheasants except for their crests, which are not as colorful. Females also don’t grow any of the beautiful tail feathers like males do.
These different types of Peafowl feed primarily on fruit, seeds, and insects, with an occasional small animal thrown into their diet from time to time.
10. Black-Shouldered Peafowl
Black shoulder peacocks are about 24-28 inches tall and 18-21 inches long with tail feathers. The males weigh up to 4 pounds, while females weigh three on average. What colors can a black shoulder peacock have?
The male will be primarily white, with a blue sheen over the top and a few patches of dark blue at the bottom. They have dark red eyes, dark gray beaks, and grayish-green legs that taper off into tiny feet.
Females can also be white but typically have darker shades throughout their bodies than males. They have pink eyes, brown beaks, and brownish-green legs that turn into larger feet.
11. Koklass Pheasant
The Koklass Pheasant, also known as Lady Amherst’s pheasant, is a large bird native to Southeast Asia. It was introduced in England in 1832 and has since been bred there. The Koklass Pheasant comes from the Greek word koalas, red-brown, and peas, meaning to fly.
This beautifully patterned bird stands about three feet tall and has long tail feathers to create a display when mating. The Reeves’ Pheasant is another popular breed of Peafowl.
These different types of Peafowl are between two and three feet tall with an orange head that turns black as they age. They make an excellent addition to any family farm due to their ability to withstand cooler climates than other peafowl breeds.
12. Vietnamese Pheasant
The Vietnamese pheasant, also known as the silver pheasant, is a type of Peafowl that originated in southeast Asia.
These birds have long tails and necks like many other peafowls. They are primarily white with black tips on their wings and red eyes.
Their head feathers are also a colorful mix of pink, green, yellow, and blue. These different types of Peafowl live in tropical forests with rice paddies. The red comb can identify the male.
Vietnamese pheasants on their heads, while the female has white feathers. The Vietnamese pheasant can grow up to 3 feet tall when fully grown, but they weigh less than two pounds.
13. Spalding Peafowl
Spalding Peacocks are native to Africa, India, and Sri Lanka. They are the second largest peafowl species.
The males have a green head and purple neck, while females have a brown head and back with blue in the wings.
Male Spalding Peacocks have a dull purple neck with a long crest and pearl-like green head, while females are brown with blue in their wings.
If you’re looking for exotic types of Peafowl that aren’t too loud and are easy to care for, the Spalding Peacock may be your best bet. They’re quiet birds that thrive on a high-quality diet and plenty of space to roam around.
14. Borneo Peafowl
The Borneo Peacock, or Pavo Muticus, is a medium-sized bird that resides in the jungles of Malaysia and Indonesia. They have a purplish-blue body with white chest feathers and blue eyes.
It’s been said that they are the most beautiful peafowl species. These different types of Peafowl can reach up to 40 inches tall and weigh up to 12 pounds.
This bird eats seeds, insects, plants, fruits, and small animals like mice. They have no natural predators because they can be aggressive if threatened.
One interesting fact about this bird is that it has been known to hunt and eat other birds! In some cultures, royalty used these birds to symbolize peace and power.
15. Pied Peafowl
The pied Peacock (Afropavo congensis) is a medium-sized bird weighing about three pounds. It has blue-green plumage with black tail feathers and a crest on its head. The female’s coloring is more muted than the male’s, with brownish-grey feathers.
Pied Peahens are smaller than males and lack a crest on the head. They are often overlooked as they spend much time feeding in the fields rather than guarding territory or mating.
They tend to be less aggressive when defending their nest from predators and will often use distraction techniques to allow them to escape danger.
16. Opal Peafowl
The opal peafowl, also known as the blue peacock, is native to Southeast Asia. It has a long tail, and its feathers are primarily blue with some green or yellow mixed in. When it’s in flight, its wings have a white line near the tip.
The opal peacock stands about five feet tall and weighs about ten pounds. These different types of Peafowl eat fruit, insects, and small rodents such as rats and mice.
Opal peacocks live in dense forests near streams or rivers where they can find food to eat. They make their nests on high branches so predators cannot reach them too quickly; they typically lay two eggs each breeding season which takes around 27 days to hatch.
Conclusion
If you want the best Peafowl possible, I hope this post helps you. Remember, there are different types of Peafowl. We also talked about what makes each style unique in appearance and behavior.
This information makes it easy to find the perfect bird for your needs! There are many benefits to having a pet bird and many considerations. Here are some things to consider when choosing your next feathered friend.
For those who want a low-maintenance pet that can be left alone at home during the day and doesn’t require much attention or training, turkeys and peacocks might be a good fit.
If you live in a smaller space and are looking for something more portable or less messy than the average parrot, rosellas might be an excellent choice.
