Indian peafowl
pīkao · Pavo cristatus
Commonly seen on the lawns, orchard and courtyards around Mansion House.
Story
Grey's peafowl had died out by 1923. Today's birds descend from about 20 released between 1958 and 1979, plus two from Motukiore Island around 1989.
Behaviour
Peafowl fly up to roost about 12 minutes after sunset and come down after dawn. In the display season each peacock keeps his own patch around Mansion House, out of sight of his rivals but within earshot.
There’s more about this bird on Kawau in the island’s history.