Peafowl

Pavo cristatus, the Indian peafowl, is an introduced bird established locally in New Zealand. The male’s iridescent blue neck and enormous eye-spotted train distinguish it from every other wild bird here. Males are metallic blue and green with elongated train feathers, while females are brown and green with no train. Both sexes have a fan-shaped crest.

Feral populations are scattered through warmer parts of the North Island and a few South Island localities. They use farmland, woodland edges and scrub near roost trees. They eat seeds, shoots, insects and small vertebrates while foraging on the ground. Birds roost high in trees and males display communally.

New Zealand classifies peafowl as Introduced. Feral birds are often seen around rural Northland and parts of Hawke’s Bay, though sites vary.