: any of three very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus and P. muticus of southeastern Asia and Afropavo congensis of central Africa) often raised as ornamental fowls due to their usually colorful, iridescent plumage and especially for the long, trailing tail coverts of the male which can be held more or less erect and outspread see also peacock, peahen
Illustration of peafowl
A female (peahen)
B male (peacock)
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But even without trapping in the last few years — the program hasn’t been used since 2021 — the number of peafowl in the area has remained relatively stagnant.—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 Now the peafowl number more than 50, and funeral coordinator and embalmer Eddie Martinez is in charge of their care.—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025 My first thought was that great ancestors of this peafowl must have paraded their plumage when the palace itself was in all its splendor; delighting the residents with their haunting calls.—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 Make note of her collection of miniatures, many of which were gifts, as well as the writer’s many nods to peafowl and other birds, her favorite animal.—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peafowl
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