The DRC has 13 endemic species in a total number of species of 1,139.

One of the endemic species is the Congo Peafowl

Congo Peafowl

The Congo Peafowl - Afropavo congensis – is endemic to the lowland forests of the Congo River Basin in Central part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It occurs in many different forest types but is often associated with slopes between watersheds with shallow soils supporting dry forest with an open understory. The species appears to prefer high canopy and litter cover.

Description

Adult male’s feathers are deep blue with a metallic green and violet tinge. It has bare red neck skin, grey feet, and a black tail. Its head is adorned with vertical white elongated hair-like feathers. The female is generally a chestnut brown bird with a black abdomen, metallic green back, and a short chestnut brown crest.

Call

Most frequently heard call a duet with 20-30 repetitions. Male gives high-pitched gowe, female replies with low gowah. Duets usually proceeded by loud rro-ho-ho-o-a.

Food

It does not appear to have a specialized diet which consists mainly of fruits and invertebrates.

Breeding

The male has a beautiful courtship display with his tail and wing feathers fanned out while he struts, bows and offers food items to the female. The Female lays 1 to 4 eggs in a scrape or hollow in the ground, and incubates for about 28 days. During this time, the male stays close to guard the nest, and the female leaves only rarely to feed. After the chicks hatch, both parents help rear them by brooding, protecting and feeding them, although the well-developed young are soon able to forage for themselves.

Conservation Status – Vulnerable

This species is listed as Vulnerable because of a small population which is suspected to be in decline, owing to ongoing hunting and habitat loss. Presently, habitat is being lost to mining, subsistence agriculture and logging.

Birdwatching

Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a custom tour for you to see these beautiful birds.