Seasonal and diurnal use of eight different call types by Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Abstract

The vocal displays of male Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) are thought to be sexually selected traits. To clarify the specific call types involved in breeding, as well as to provide basic information on the vocalisations of Indian peafowl, we conducted monthly daytime recordings in a large feral population in Japan. Based on 13,420 records, we identified seven different call types made only by males and six alarm calls uttered by both sexes. Furthermore, we found seasonal and diurnal changes in the calling activity of peafowl. Three of the male call types (keow, ka and hoot-call) were particularly important for breeding, as sexually mature males produced them only during the breeding season, in a similar diurnal pattern to other breeding behaviours. A digital video image relating to the article is available at http://www.momo-p.com/ showdetail-e.php?movieid=momo061010ip01b . © 2008 Japan Ethological Society and Springer.