Quick answer
IUCN status: EndangeredGreen peafowl at a glance
The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is a bird in the family Phasianidae. Range in Indonesia: Java. Diet: fruit, berries, buds and leaves, insects, frogs and small reptiles; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Pavo muticus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Merak hijau |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Java |
| Linked habitats | Savannas, Tropical Rainforests |
| Feature | Green neck in males and females |
| Foraging | On the ground |
| IUCN status | Endangered · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 471 |
| Population | 10,000–19,999 mature individuals across its range (decreasing) · BirdLife International DataZone — Green Peafowl species factsheet |
| Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — fruit, berries, buds and leaves, insects, frogs and small reptiles · thainationalparks.com |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (11)
Green and blue peafowl
Male and female green peafowl both have shimmering green necks and upright crests. This differs from the striking sex-related colour contrast in blue peafowl. The scientific name Pavo muticus helps confirm that an image or report concerns the correct species.
Evidence: Cornell Lab eBird — Green peafowl ↗ · San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Peafowl ↗
The great fan is not simply the tail
The long feathers forming a male’s fan are tail coverts. They are displayed during courtship, while females lack the same long train. Watching natural behaviour is more informative than trying to provoke a bird into displaying on demand.
Ground feeding and tree roosts
Peafowl forage on the ground for varied foods, including seeds, plant material, and small animals. Trees are also used for roosting. These needs explain why open areas should be understood together with tree cover, rather than as featureless grassland.
Varied landscapes in Java
Green peafowl use open tropical forests and are often associated with water. Baluran is one Indonesian management area. The savanna link in this profile represents part of a habitat mosaic; birds still need cover and other resources around it.
Evidence: Cornell Lab eBird — Green peafowl ↗ · Baluran National Park — Green peafowl release, 2025 ↗
Releases need follow-up
Baluran National Park documented a green-peafowl release in 2025. An activity report is not evidence that the entire population has recovered. When assessing programmes, look for preparation, habitat, and post-release monitoring; do not release captive birds into conservation areas yourself.
Evidence: Baluran National Park — Green peafowl release, 2025 ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Green peafowl
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Pavo |
| Species | Pavo muticus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the green peafowl
What is the scientific name of the green peafowl?
The scientific name of the green peafowl is Pavo muticus, in the family Phasianidae. In Indonesian it is called Merak hijau.
What kind of animal is the green peafowl?
The green peafowl is a bird in the family Phasianidae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a fruit, berries, buds and leaves, insects, frogs and small reptiles.
Where does the green peafowl live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the green peafowl in: Java.
Source-supported habitats: Savannas, Tropical Rainforests.
What does the green peafowl eat?
The green peafowl is a fruit, berries, buds and leaves, insects, frogs and small reptiles. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: thainationalparks.com.
How does the green peafowl reproduce?
The green peafowl reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the green peafowl nocturnal?
The cited source records the green peafowl as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the green peafowl?
Key features of the green peafowl, from this guide’s sources: Feature: green neck in males and females.
How large is the population of the green peafowl?
10,000–19,999 mature individuals across its range (decreasing). Source: BirdLife International DataZone — Green Peafowl species factsheet. Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.
What is the scientific classification of the green peafowl?
Scientific classification of the green peafowl: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Galliformes, family Phasianidae, genus Pavo, species Pavo muticus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the green peafowl endangered?
Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the green peafowl is listed as Endangered: it is considered to face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the green peafowl protected in Indonesia?
Is the green peafowl protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 471).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the green peafowl be kept as a pet?
No. Because the green peafowl is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- Cornell Lab eBird — Green peafowl ↗
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance — Peafowl ↗
- Baluran National Park — Green peafowl release, 2025 ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- BirdLife International DataZone — Green Peafowl species factsheet ↗
- thainationalparks.com ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Green peafowl (Pavo muticus). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/green-peafowl/