Indian Peafowl vs Djibouti Spurfowl
Pavo cristatus compared with Pternistis ochropectus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Indian Peafowl | Djibouti Spurfowl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pavo cristatus | Pternistis ochropectus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | 195.0 cm (76.8 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 160.0 cm (63.0 in) | 39.5 cm (15.6 in) |
| Weight | 5000.0 g (176.37 oz) | 707.0 g (24.94 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — seeds, berries, insects, small vertebrates, and cultivated crops. Forages on the ground in … | Feeds on seeds, plant material, and invertebrates in juniper forest and scrub of Djibouti; critically … |
| Clutch Size | 3-8 | 4-6 |
| 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
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.
Djibouti Spurfowl
Loud, harsh 'krak-KRAAK' calls from Djibouti Forêt du Day; critically endangered with very small world population. Alarm is explosive cackling. One of Africa's rarest birds; poorly documented vocally.
Geographic Range & Migration
Indian Peafowl
Indian subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Feral populations worldwide.
Djibouti Spurfowl
Endemic to Djibouti and adjacent northern Somalia; restricted to the Day Forest and surrounding highlands; one of Africa's rarest birds.
Conservation Status
Indian Peafowl
Djibouti Spurfowl
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Djibouti Spurfowl
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; pale ochre-buff breast contrasting with white streaked belly; distinctive ochre wash on chest differs from other spurfowl; red facial skin; red legs; critically …
About These Birds
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.
Djibouti Spurfowl
One of Africa's rarest birds, this large Phasianidae spurfowl (~707 g) is endemic to two small juniper forest patches in Djibouti. Population estimated at fewer than 500 individuals. Feeds on seeds, roots, and invertebrates in dense juniper understorey. Critically Endangered from overgrazing and firewood cutting.