February 22, 2014 / Leslie

Weekend Birding: Indian Peafowl

Birds, Brookfield Zoo, Peacock, Peafowl, Photography, Photos

Weekend Birding usually features native wild birds, but this winter the weather has been horrible with endless amounts of snow and ice that makes walking in the forest preserves treacherous. Other than backyard birds, I haven’t been out to take any new photos in weeks, which is why today’s bird is a non-native species, the Peafowl.

Peafowl are members of the Pheasant family and are native to India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Most people call the birds Peacocks, but that name only refers to the male. Females are Penhens and the young are Peachicks.

Peahen and Chick

I took these photos a few years ago at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo. They have a free-ranging flock and the birds are allowed to wander the grounds and occasionally startle visitors with their loud squawk or quick hop onto a tree branch. In the winter the birds move to a large heated area where they are provided with plenty of food and warmth as the species is not adapted to Chicago’s harsh winters.

I’m accustomed to seeing them roaming around and don’t usually stop to take photos, except this time I spotted a couple of hens with their chicks, something I don’t see very often.

Peachick

Since I know very little about Peafowl, I looked up a few facts:

The Peahen builds the nest and sits on the eggs for four weeks, then she raises the chicks by herself.
First year male and female Peachicks look just like their mother but are only half her size.
The males will get their blue coloring in their second year
They forage on the ground for grain, insects, small reptiles and mammals, berries, figs, leaves, seeds, and flower parts
They roost overnight in groups in tall, open trees.

Peacock

I finally found one of the males strutting around on the other side of the grounds. The male is very flashy with his bright blue head and neck. The female and her chicks are subdued brown color. Since it was not mating season he wasn’t displaying his beautiful tail of feathers but did pause long enough for a photo.

Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. It is now hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.