Green Junglefowl vs Indian Peafowl
Gallus varius compared with Pavo cristatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green Junglefowl | Indian Peafowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gallus varius | Pavo cristatus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 195.0 cm (76.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 40.4 cm (15.9 in) | 160.0 cm (63.0 in) |
| Weight | 914.25 g (32.25 oz) | 5000.0 g (176.37 oz) |
| Diet | Highly omnivorous; scratches for seeds, invertebrates, small reptiles, and plant material in Indonesian coastal forest … | Omnivorous — seeds, berries, insects, small vertebrates, and cultivated crops. Forages on the ground in … |
| Clutch Size | 3-4 | 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
Green Junglefowl
Loud, single-noted 'GERAAK' crow by males; unmistakable single syllable unlike Red Junglefowl. Indonesian island species crowing at dawn. Alarm is rapid cackling; contact clucks lower.
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
Green Junglefowl
Endemic to Java and Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia) including Bali, Lombok, and Flores; resident of forest edge, scrub, and coastal areas.
Indian Peafowl
Indian subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Feral populations worldwide.
Conservation Status
Green Junglefowl
Indian Peafowl
How to Tell Them Apart
Green Junglefowl
Male iridescent dark green with purple and blue gloss on neck; orange and yellow scalloping on breast; single unlobed comb; multicolored blue, red, and yellow facial wattle. Female mottled dark …
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
Green Junglefowl
A medium-sized Phasianidae junglefowl (~914 g) endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands and Java. Males have a solid unlobed comb with iridescent blue-green plumage; females are brown. Inhabits forest edges, scrub, and open woodland. Feeds on seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Hybridises with domestic chickens; 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.