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Breeding and behaviour records of peafowl (Pavo cristatus) at Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island, New Zealand, 1992-2010

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2013

  • Author(s)

    A.J. Beauchamp

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    60, 3

  • Pagination

    224-232

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

introduced population; Kawau Island; Pavo cristatus; Peafowl; wallaby


Breeding and behaviour records of peafowl (Pavo cristatus) at Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island, New Zealand, 1992-2010

Notornis, 60 (3), 224-232

A.J. Beauchamp (2013)

Article Type: Paper

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Information was collected from a small population of peafowl living in Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island, from 1995 to 2010. Peacocks used an exploded lek breeding system, and displayed at areas where human and natural foods occurred. Mating took place between late Sep and mid Dec. Breeding was successful in the presence of a substantial North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) population. An average of 1.4 (SE = 0.6, n = 10) young were fledged per successful clutch. In the winter of 2004, all peahens disappeared and the population thereafter comprised only males. Despite the absence of females, peacocks continued to display for 5 years after all peahens were lost. The breeding biology of this introduced population appears to be similar to that in their native range.