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FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats :: Nonnative Species : Common Peafowl - Pavo cristatus :

Common Peafowl - Pavo cristatus

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1950's

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.

Estimated Florida range:  6 counties  At least 10 years, 11 counties  Not reported breeding

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives:  Unknown impact on native species, but they will lizards, and frogs (Florida BBA).

Species Account: Native to India and Sri Lanka. Semi-domesticated populations can be a nuisance in residential communities, and their loud raucous calls sometimes result in complaints from neighbors. The male is known as a peacock and the female as a peahen. Peafowl are ominorous, feeding on seeds, grain, berries, young shoots, flowers, snails, insects, lizards, and frogs (Florida BBA). Feral populations tend to die out over time unless restocked (Florida BBA). Full adult plumage is not attained until 3-5 years old. This species is believed to occur in at least 20 counties. Individual counties are not listed.

Habitats: Low density suburban development, areas peripheral to core urban areas, and small towns

County First Year Extirpated YearBreeding statusNotes
Brevard1986 Not reported breedingListed as possible breeding
(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Citrus1986 Not reported breeding 
Hardee1986 Not reported breeding 
Hernando1986 Not reported breeding 
Hillsborough1986 Not reported breeding 
Lake1986 Not reported breeding 
Manatee1986 Not reported breeding 
Martin1986 Not reported breeding 
Orange1950's At least 10 years 
Palm Beach1986 At least 10 years(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Pasco1986 At least 10 years(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Pinellas1986 Not reported breedingListed as possible breeding
(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Polk1986 At least 10 years(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Saint Lucie1986 Not reported breeding(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Sarasota1986 Not reported breeding(Florida BBA 1986-91)
Sumter1986 Not reported breeding 
Volusia1986 Not reported breeding(Florida BBA 1986-91)

References

Kannan, R., and D. A. James. 1998. Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) In Birds of North America, No. 377 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) Birds of North America, Inc, Philadelphia, PA.

Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Links to more information

Florida Breeding Bird Atlas Species Account

Back to Nonnative Birds

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