CLASSIFICATION OFPAVO CRISTATUS : PEACOCK
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- AVES ( Biped and feathered vertebrates ).
Sub-class :- NEORNITHES ( True birds. Metacarpels fused )
Super Order :- NEOGNATHAE ( Modern birds, no teeth, sternum keeled).
Order :- GALLIFORMES ( Long legged and long necked wading birds).
Genus : Pavo
Species :- cristatus
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Found in various localities of India.
HABIT AND HABITAT
It inhabits dense scrub, jungle, agricultural field and forest, well provided with rivers and streams. They are shy birds. They feed on grains and vegetable shoots and often do severe harm to newly sown seeds. They also eat small reptiles and insects. They makes nests on ground.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF PAVO CRISTATUS : PEACOCK
- Commonly called peafowl or peacock. In Hindi it is called as Mor or Mayur.
- It displays a well-marked sexual dimorphism.
- Body divided into head, neck, back, breast and abdomen.
- Male bird is beautifully pigmented with fans-shaped crest; brilliant metallic blue head, neck and breast; with long trailing bronze green upper tail coverts ending in shining blue green purple bronze ‘eyes’ or ocellate.
- Tail measures 1.5 meters in length.
- Female is duller having lower neck metallic green instead of blue as in male, and lacks the ornamented tail.
- Feet adapted for scratching and running. Hind legs contain spur.
Special features
The dance of the peacock with its gorgeous tail coverts spread like a fan is very famous. It dances especially on a cloudy and rainy day. It also produces ugly shrieking sound may-awe in morning, evening, moonlight and on cloudy days. It is the national bird of India.
Identification
Since this bird has characteristic feathers with eyes and above features, hence it is Pavo cristatus ( Peacock ).
