Peacocks are among the beautiful animals in the world. Peacocks have become an endangered species, and there is a likelihood of the peacock becoming extinct in the future.
For this reason, there is the need for people worldwide to come up with various measures that will ensure the species does not become extinct.
What Are the Types of Peacocks?
Peacocks are the male version, while the female peafowls are called peahens. There are three main types of peacocks all over the world.
The birds are mainly distinguished by their colors which include blue and green. The existence of the birds is threatened.
That is why they are listed among the endangered birds as they face the risk of extinction. The males are larger in size as compared to the females. The species include;
- Indian peacock
- Green peacock
- Congo peacock
Endangered Species of Peacocks
An endangered species of animals is an animal whose existence is threatened, and there is the likelihood of it becoming extinct.
For most of these animals, their existence is endangered mostly due to poaching, poisoning, and their habitats being invaded by other species.
Despite the three peacocks being known for their beautiful feathers and loudness, the green peacock is the most endangered.
The Green Peacock
This is the most endangered species of peacocks all over the world because people continue hunting them for meat and their feathers.
It is mainly found in java and Burma. It is the most endangered because of the continued decrease in its population.
The changes in their habitats and the continued collection of their eggs and chicks have put them on the list of most endangered species.
Some people also use poisons and heavy fertilizers to kill the peacocks that feed on agricultural products.
The birds are slowly declining, mostly due to the disturbance of their habitats. In order to solve this problem, there is a need to protect their habitats.
The Congo Peacock
The Green peacock is the most endangered species of peafowls, while the Congo peacock is the vulnerable species of peafowls. It is found in the central Mongolian lowland forests.
It is common in the African rainforests. The males are usually blue and green, while their female counterparts are reddish and green.
Indian Peacock
This species is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka though it has been introduced in other places. It is considered a more stable species by most breeders and peacock enthusiasts.
Several breeding efforts have been made to ensure they do not become extinct. Therefore, there is less worry about their numbers.
Vulnerability of Other Peacock Species
The green peacock is considered the most endangered species of peafowls. However, the other two species should also be considered.
The Congo peafowl is regarded as the most vulnerable of the birds because their numbers are also declining, and they could become endangered soon.
On the other hand, the Indian blue peacock is the most stable of the three species. However, a complete analysis of their numbers in the wild is yet to be done.
Through breeding efforts put in place, the species is thriving. Therefore, it does not pose any threats to extinction.
Activities that Threaten the Existence of Peacocks
Several things threaten the existence of these lovely creatures. Human beings pose the most danger to peacocks through activities like deforestation, which leads to their habitats. Other activities include:
- smuggling the birds to domestic homes or other countries
- hunting the birds for meat and feathers
- predation by other animal species such as cats, rats, and rodents.
Urbanization has also contributed to the decline in numbers because it has caused fragmentation.
This has led to the isolation of small birds, thus increasing their vulnerability to local extinction. In addition, it has forced the peafowls to have less food, shelter, and even water.
This has contributed to the great decline in the number of birds because of a lack of basic needs.
Why Should You Keep Peacocks?
The peacocks, especially the green peacock, have been placed on the list of the most endangered birds because of their usefulness which threatens their existence. Some of their importance include:
- Their feathers are used for the beautification and decoration of houses.
- They are a source of meat.
- Peacocks are used as a source of entertainment.
- They produce eggs collected for food.
- They are also involved in the pet trade, where they are kept in domestic homes as pets
- In some places such as India, peacocks are used for religious purposes
Feeding Habits of Peacocks
Peacocks are omnivorous creatures by nature. This means that they feed on plants, seeds, flowers, insects, tiny mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
The feeding habit has caused a threat to the birds because they are considered a danger to agricultural products for people living near their habitats.
Because of this, most people have resorted to using poisons and poisonous fertilizers in their farms so that the peafowls feeding on them will die. This has threatened the existence of the birds.
The birds are naturally friendly unless any intruders invade their territory. Those in the wild usually walk around in packs of about eight and tend to play and eat together.
Peacocks are generally loud birds and will make loud noises to signal each other whenever something is to eat. They also get loud during their mating seasons.
The birds face a series of attacks from predators such as dogs, tigers, cats, raccoons, and mongooses. They may also face predation from human beings who attack them for meat.
Breeding Patterns of Peacocks
Peacocks are polygamous birds in nature, whereby one male can mate with several females in a season.
The males spread their tail feathers in a fan shape and shake them while producing a rattling sound and, as a result, attract the females.
After mating, the peahens lay eggs on the ground, incubate and hatch after thirty days. The chicks ensure the continuation of the peacock species reducing the risk of extinction.
Habitats for Peacocks
The three species of peacocks mainly inhabit open lowland forests, farms, and various agricultural fields.
They will stay both in the tropical and dry habitats and even spread to other areas such as parks and cities, searching for food.
Peacocks as Pets
Although many people always think of owning peacocks, several concerns have been raised. The birds are very noisy during their mating, thus causing noise pollution.
During their mating season, they wander around looking for roots, and mostly like rooftops, like patching on cars and attacking their reflection.
They may damage the vehicles. In addition, they like digging up flowerbeds while in search of food.
In order to domesticate a peacock as a pet, one has to follow some processes and laws that have been laid down to guide the process. It is advisable to domesticate them in the countryside.
Tips to Dealing with Wild Peacocks
Here are a few tips for dealing with wild peacocks.
- Avoid planting young seedlings in areas that the birds can invade.
- Use cat repellants and mothballs around young seedlings because the birds are allergic to them; thus, they will not destroy the crops.
- Domesticate dogs, too, since peacocks are normally afraid of the dogs.
- Water can also be used to keep the birds away from farms as they don’t like water. Use water sprinklers that ensure water is in plenty, thus keeping the birds away.
- Avoid open compost pits and manure sacks which contain seeds, bugs, and worms that are the main food for the birds; thus, they will keep off.
Measures Put in Place to Conserve the Green Peacock
In order to preserve the beauty of the peacock and prevent them from becoming extinct, plans have been put in place to enforce this. These measures include;
- Protecting the habitats of the animals from invasion through discouraging deforestation, mining, and other human activities.
- Their habitats are also protected from invasion by other animal species through a number of mechanisms.
- Crackdown on poaching though putting in place strict laws that guard against poaching and deploying experts to the various habitats of the birds to protect them.
- Special breeding plans are being put in place to ensure the breeding of more chicks; hence there is an increased number, and at the same time, the hatched peacocks are protected from poachers and from getting killed by other predators.
- Creating awareness of the importance of peacocks will encourage them to preserve the birds instead of killing them.
- Encourage people not to use poisons and powerful fertilizers in agriculture that kill the birds when they feed on the crops.
Conclusion
The peacocks are on the list of the most endangered species of birds. This is due to the continued hunting of the birds for meat and feathers. If necessary actions are not put in place, we face the risk of the species becoming extinct.
There is a need for people all over the world to put in place measures that will ensure more peacocks are bred and protect them and their habitats and thus ensure the species does not become extinct.
