Java Green peafowl are often considered the more beautiful and regal birds over the Indian Blues. But they are more of a challenge to keep. Greens are flightier than Blues, and can be aggressive towards humans and other birds. They are also quite susceptible to the cold and need heated or insulated aviaries over winter in cooler regions. If you can deal with these considerations, greens are very wonderful birds to own.
Type of mutation
The Java Green is a subspecies of the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), a true type species. Javanese Peafowl are found in the wild as well as in captivity, but it is estimated that only 1,000 or so survive in their native habitat.
Peacock Colouration
Green peafowl are taller and leaner than the blues, appearing more athletic. The crest is tall and tightly bundled. They are also more colourful, their faces having light blue and a bright yellow patch. The head and neck are metallic green, shoulders bluish-green, and abdomen a dark green.
Peahen Colouration
A female Java Green Peahen is more brightly coloured than her Indian Blue counterpart. She is similarly coloured to the Java Green cock, but her greens are more muted. Of course she also doesn’t have the cock’s long train with ocelli (eye spots) – the hen’s tail feathers have a heavy dark barring.
Origin
The Java Green variety is one of the three subspecies of one of the three species of peafowl found naturally in the wild. They are the most commonly raised green subspecies in captivity. In the wild, they are found in Java and on the Malay Peninsula, but are greatly endangered.
Do they breed true?
Yes. Java Green peafowl mated together will result in only Java Green offspring.