A study on Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) emphasising breeding season and feeding behaviour in captivity

Abstract

Present research was planned to evaluate the breeding and feeding behaviour of Indian peafowl reared in captivity at Zoological Gardens of Government and Private Sector. For feeding behaviour, a total of fifty pairs (n=100) of Pavo cristatus at both Government Zoological Gardens (n=25pairs) and Private Sectors (n=25pairs) were observed on daily basis. The breeding season of Indian peafowl is not fixed but mostly it breeds in rainy season from April to August. It was observed that most of birds at Government Zoological Gardens breed in month of May, while most of birds at Private Sectors breed in the month of August. For feeding behaviour a total of 200 faecal samples per week were collected for six weeks, out of which 100 samples per week were randomly selected for further analysis. Faecal analysis technique showed that dietary components of Indian peafowl were covered by plant contents following by animal sources. Among the plants components grass seeds were predominant followed by dicotyledon and fruits with least portion of monocotyledons. Among animal components, ants, grasshopper, earthworms, spider and unidentified bones were present. Faecal analysis indicated the presence of some non-food items such as sand and gravel.