Sri Lanka Spurfowl vs Indian Peafowl
Galloperdix bicalcarata compared with Pavo cristatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sri Lanka Spurfowl | Indian Peafowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Galloperdix bicalcarata | Pavo cristatus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 195.0 cm (76.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 160.0 cm (63.0 in) |
| Weight | 298.0 g (10.51 oz) | 5000.0 g (176.37 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous ground forager in Sri Lankan rainforest; takes seeds, fruits, invertebrates, and small vertebrates. | Omnivorous — seeds, berries, insects, small vertebrates, and cultivated crops. Forages on the ground in … |
| Clutch Size | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Indian Peafowl
Open forests, farmland, and areas near water in the Indian subcontinent. Highly adaptable and common near human settlements.
Song & Call Comparison
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Loud, explosive 'keow-KEOW-keow' cries from Sri Lankan rainforest; arresting and carrying. Alarm is rapid harsh cackle. Sri Lanka endemic. Contact calls low guttural clucks.
Indian Peafowl
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
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Endemic to Sri Lanka; resident of dense forest and jungle from lowlands to montane areas up to 2,100 m.
Indian Peafowl
Indian subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Feral populations worldwide.
Conservation Status
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Indian Peafowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
Male dark brown above with white shaft streaks; white-spotted rufous-brown underparts; red orbital skin. Female brownish with pale streaking throughout; both sexes with distinctive red legs; endemic to Sri Lanka.
Indian Peafowl
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.
Short, stout, greyish-horn bill
About These Birds
Sri Lanka Spurfowl
A small, endemic Phasianidae spurfowl (~298 g) restricted to forests and forest edges of Sri Lanka. Males are dark chestnut with white-streaked flanks and bright red orbital skin. Both sexes bear two spurs on each leg. Shy ground forager; feeds on seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Least Concern.
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.