Status and Distribution of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in the South Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

The Indian Peafowls (Pavo crisatus) is Least Concern (LC) category on Red list and Schedule I species as per Wildlife Protection Act (1972) in India.  Indian Peafowl (Pavo crisatus) population status and distribution was studied in South Coimbatore district especially in Polllachi area from August 2017 to January 2018.  The study carried out in 13 villages in South Coimbatore including Nchavelampalayam, Chandrapuram, Kollupalayam, Chellampalayam, Marampudungigoundanur, Athanaripalayam, Kotturmalayandipattinam, Vallakundapuram, Vedasanthur, Kanchampalayam, Sangampalayam, Angalankuruchi, Paramadaiyur Village etc. From the present study, 405 direct sighting consists of 1283 Peafowls in 13 villages were recorded. Based on the Group wise of Peafowls showed that Mixed group(MIG) contain 50.37% followed by Male female group(MFG) stand for 40.74%, Female chick group(FCG) contains 4.19%, Female group(FG) with the percentage of 3.95%, and Male group(MG) which constitute of 0.74% were recorded. Based on Peafowls classification, Females Peafowls consist of 59.85% followed by 17.77% of Peacock, 13.09% Peafowls chicks, 9.27% sub adults Peafowls were observed. According to the Peafowls habitat, the study area categorized into mixed forest (MFL) habitat, Agricultural Land (AL) and Coconut farmland (CFL). Maximum of Peafowls observed in Coconut farmland (CFL) comprised of 44.33% followed by the mixed forest land (MFL) habitat consists of 36.20% and very low in Agricultural Land (AL) 19.45% of Peafowls were occupied. As a result of habitat thrashing, absence of predation and easy accessibility of food, climate change influence of Peafowls interested in countryside villages.