peafowl

American  

[pee-foul] / ˈpiˌfaʊl /

noun

plural

peafowls,

plural

peafowl

1. any of several gallinaceous birds of the genera Pavo, of India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the East Indies, and Afropavo, of Africa.

---

peafowl British  

/ ˈpiːˌfaʊl /

noun

1. either of two large pheasants, Pavo cristatus ( blue peafowl ) of India and Ceylon and P. muticus ( green peafowl ) of SE Asia. The males (peacocks) have a characteristic bright plumage See peacock

2. a rare closely related African species, Afropavo congensis ( Congo peafowl ), both sexes of which are brightly coloured

---

Etymology

Origin of peafowl

First recorded in 1795–1805; pea ( see peacock) + fowl

Example Sentences

Currently there are 21 peafowl - a term that encompasses both male and female birds - including eight peachicks, four of which hatched earlier this month.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

South Pasadena voted to remove all peafowl from city limits as the population of the exotic bird has skyrocketed.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2023

In the affluent village of Pinecrest, the peafowl found larger lots with plenty of greenery that were far more to their liking.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2023

Nearly 100 peafowl walk freely around the zoo’s grounds.

From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2023

I looked up as I ran under some trees, other­wise peafowl might excrete on me.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel