Emerald Spalding Peafowl should have a high percentage of green blood (at least 75%). The Spalding are a popular choice with those who love the beauty of the green subspecies, but not their aggressive or flighty tendencies.
Type of mutation
Emerald Spalding Peafowl are a hybrid of the India Blue and Java Green peafowl. To qualify as Emerald Spaldings they are required to have at least 3/4 green blood, although it is often 7/8 or even higher.
Emerald Spalding Peacock Colouration
Males are very similar to Greens and sometimes indistinguishable. The neck is green and the wings dark. As well as the white facial patch, Spaldings also have a patch of yellow and a tint of blue, both characteristics of Greens.
Peahen Colouration
Hens vary greatly within this variety. The neck is solid green and iridescent. The chest and wings are varying shades of dark brown and rust. Females also have a patch of yellow and tints of blue on their faces.
Origin
Emerald Spalding Peafowl came out of extensive genetic work. The aim was to breed birds that would retain the beauty of Java Green Peafowl but better adapted to captive life. Emerald Spaldings are less flighty and aggressive than Greens, and better adapted to cold weather. However, they are still much poorer in these regards than Indian Blues and it’s variations.
Do they breed true?
No, Emerald Spalding Peafowl will not breed true. Offspring will have varying degrees of green blood, many of them not enough to qualify under the necessary 3/4. The Green genes have strong penetrance; once they have been added to another breed they are difficult to remove completely. Indian Blue peahens will often lose their cream underside and take on a brown lower chest when carrying Green bloodline.