STUDY ON THE STATUS OF INDIAN BLUE PEAFOWL (PAVO CRISTATUS) IN SELECTED AREAS AT KUMBAKONAM, THANJAVUR DISTRICT

The overall peafowl abundance were found 247. It was 93 cocks, 93 fowls and 61 chicks (sex ratio (1:1) in the study areas. The peafowl abundance were recorded in different habitats such as Paddy, Sugarcane, Banana plantation, Bamboo vegetation, aquatic Grasses (Grass vegetation). The highest abundance was noticed in Banana plantation (n=61) and the lowest abundance was recorded in Bamboo vegetation (n=35). Meanwhile, Sugar cane habitat (n=50), Paddy field (n=48), and aquatic grasses (n=55). The study was carryout from October 2021 to April 2022. A total of 7 months were studied for peafowl abundance in different area in and around Innambur village, Kumbakonam Taluk. The monthly variation were noticed for peafowl abundance. The maximum sightings of peafowl was obtained in the month of Feb (n=13). The minimum sightings of peafowl was recorded in the month of November and March respectively (n=7).                The highest sightings of peafowl was observed in Eragaram area (n=35 male 18 Female 11 and chick 6).    The sightings of Indian peafowl were expressed in number (Number of sighting / km walked in the study area). The habitats includes Paddy, Sugarcane, Banana plantation, Bamboo vegetation and aquatic grasses.  The overall sightings of Indian peafowl in the study area was 247. The highest sightings was estimated in the Banana plantation habitat.The minimum sightings was recorded in Bamboo vegetation. It was showed the moderate number of sightings of Indian peafowl in the other habitats.