Sumatran Partridge vs Indian Peafowl

Arborophila sumatrana compared with Pavo cristatus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sumatran Partridge Indian Peafowl
Scientific Name Arborophila sumatrana Pavo cristatus
Order Galliformes Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Phasianidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length 195.0 cm (76.8 in)
Wingspan 28.2 cm (11.1 in) 160.0 cm (63.0 in)
Weight 336.0 g (11.85 oz) 5000.0 g (176.37 oz)
Diet Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Sumatran montane forests. Scratches leaf litter … Omnivorous — seeds, berries, insects, small vertebrates, and cultivated crops. Forages on the ground in …
Clutch Size -- 3-8
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Sumatran Partridge
Indian Peafowl 195.0 cm
Wingspan
Sumatran Partridge 28.2 cm
Indian Peafowl 160.0 cm
Weight
Sumatran Partridge 336.0 g
Indian Peafowl 5000.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sumatran Partridge only

None

Indian Peafowl only

None

Indian Peafowl

Open forests, farmland, and areas near water in the Indian subcontinent. Highly adaptable and common near human settlements.

Song & Call Comparison

Sumatran Partridge

Song

Resonant, slow 'phoo-WHEEE' whistle; Sumatran endemic with soft, slightly mournful tone. Calling bird remains concealed. Alarm note a quick repeated 'kik'; flock contact involves quiet murmuring.

Indian Peafowl

Song

Loud, harsh, repetitive 'may-AWE' screaming call, audible over great distances. Display calls are a mewing 'aaaow'. Peacocks call persistently at dawn and before rain.

Geographic Range & Migration

Sumatran Partridge

Endemic to southern Sumatra in Lampung and South Sumatra provinces at 200-1,200 m. Found in lowland and hill forest.

Indian Peafowl

Indian subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Feral populations worldwide.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sumatran Partridge

Least Concern

Indian Peafowl

How to Tell Them Apart

Sumatran Partridge

Plumage

Dark brown above with buff streaking; throat buff-white; breast grey-brown; flanks grey with white streaks; bare red eye-ring; Sumatran endemic with no bold colour features; cryptic forest floor colouring.

Indian Peafowl

Plumage

Males (peacocks) have iridescent blue-green plumage and an enormous train of elongated upper tail coverts with eye-spots. Females (peahens) are brown and cryptically patterned.

Bill

Short, stout, greyish-horn bill

About These Birds

Sumatran Partridge

A medium-sized partridge (~335 g) of family Phasianidae, with brownish plumage and scaly underparts. Endemic to Sumatra, inhabiting primary and secondary highland forests at 600–2,000 m elevation. Forages on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Least Concern; Sumatra's mountain forests retain substantial cover in protected areas, supporting stable partridge populations.

Indian Peafowl

The Indian peafowl is the national bird of India and one of the most spectacular birds in the world. The peacock's enormous train, which can span over two meters, is used in elaborate courtship displays where the feathers are fanned and vibrated. Despite their size, peafowl can fly short distances and roost in tall trees.

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