Congo peafowl
Congo peafowl | |
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A pair at Antwerp Zoo, with male left and female right. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Galliformes |
Family: | Phasianidae |
Tribe: | Pavonini |
Genus: | Afropavo Chapin , 1936
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Species: | A. congensis
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Binomial name | |
Afropavo congensis Chapin, 1936
|
The Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis), also known as the African peafowl or mbulu by the
History
Dr. James P. Chapin of the New York Zoological Society on an unsuccessful African expedition in search of the Okapi noticed that the native Congolese headdresses contained long reddish-brown feathers that he could not identify with any previously known species of bird. In 1934, Chapin visited the
Description
The male (peacock) of this species is a large bird of up to 64–70 cm (25–28 in) in length. Though much less impressive than his
The female (peahen) measures up to 60–63 centimetres (24–25 in) in length and is generally a chestnut brown bird with a black abdomen, metallic green back, and a short chestnut brown crest. Both sexes resemble immature Asian peafowl, with early stuffed birds being erroneously classified as such before they were officially designated as members of a unique species.[5]
Distribution and habitat
The Congo peafowl inhabits and is
In the 1990s, it was recorded in Maiko National Park, foremost in low hills and ridges between watersheds.[6]
Behaviour and ecology
The Congo peafowl is an omnivore with a diet consisting mainly of fruits and insects. In Salonga National Park, its diet includes fruits from Allanblackia floribunda, junglesop, Canarium schweinfurthii, oil palm, Klainedoxa gabonensis, African breadfruit, and Xylopia aethiopica and a multitude of insects, spiders, mollusks and worms.[7]
In Salonga National Park, its diet is taxonomically narrower in secondary forest than in primary forest. The male has a similar display to that of other species of peafowl, though the Congo peacock actually fans its tail feathers while other peacocks fan their upper tail covert feathers. The Congo peafowl is monogamous, though detailed mating information from the wild is still needed. The peacock of the species has a high-pitched "gowe" calling noise while the peahen emits a low "gowah". They have loud duets consisting of "rro-ho-ho-o-a" from both sexes.[citation needed]
Threats
The Congo peafowl is threatened by
Conservation
The Congo peafowl is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. As of 2013, the wild population was estimated at between 2,500 and 9,000 adult individuals.[1] Given its use of regenerating forest in Salonga National Park, secondary forests might be an important habitat to include in a conservation strategy.[3]
Captive breeding programs were initiated in the Belgian Antwerp Zoo and at Salonga National Park.[8]
References
- ^ a b c BirdLife International (2022). "Afropavo congensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T22679430A208189646. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ISBN 287225000X.
- ^ S2CID 84628639.
- ^ "Congo Peafowl". World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ BirdLife International (2014) Species factsheet: Afropavo congensis. Downloaded from "BirdLife | Partnership for nature and people". Archived from the original on 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
- ^ .
- ^ Mulotwa, M.; Louette, M.; Dudu, A. & Upoki, A. (2006). "The Congo Peafowl Afropavo congensis in Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo)". Malimbus (28): 52–53.
- ^ Collar, N. J.; Butchart, S. H. M. (2013). "Conservation breeding and avian diversity: chances and challenges". International Zoo Yearbook. 8 (1): 7–28.
External links
- Images and movies of the Congo Peacock (Afropavo congensis)— ARKive
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- Congo Peacock (Afropavo congensis)—gbwf.org
- Kimball, R.T, Braun, E.L. and J. D. Ligon (1997). "Resolution of the phylogenetic position of the Congo Peafowl, Afropavo congensis: a biogeographic and evolutionary enigma". Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 264:1517–1523[permanent dead link]