Peacock and Turkey are two large land-dwelling birds. Both are very distinct birds and can easily differentiated based on difference in looks. But what would happen if they encounter each other in wild; who would win? As they live in different halves of the world; the natural encounter between them is nearly impossible. To determine the winner of this bird duel we need to look into their different traits; let’s know the difference between them.

Physical Traits: Peacock vs turkey

How do peafowls looks like?

The peafowls are large birds having distinctive plumage and color. Sexual dimorphism is present in peafowls; peacock-pheasants is heavier and bigger than peahen, they weigh about 2.7-6 kg having a wingspan of 1.4-1.6m. Peacocks have long, strong, greyish-brown legs to protect themselves from predators they run fast. Peahens are brown, grey and cream-colored whereas males have a long neck, bright blue chest, golden feathers with the iridescent arrangement. During mating season males display their intricate pattern of feathers to attract females.Male Peacock is the national bird of India belonging to the pheasant family of birds.its is considered one the most beautiful and bounteous among pheasant family of birds.

How do Wild Turkey looks like?

Wild Turkeys are also large birds having long neck, long legs and fan-shaped tail. It is an American gallinaceous bird belonging to the genus Meleagris. they are ground-dwelling birds that have short, rounded wings with blackish breast. Sexual dimorphism is also present in wild turkeys; male turkeys are dark and have iridescent plumage. Male wild turkeys have red colored fleshy lobe than hangs from chin to throat called wattle, they also have caruncle. Heads of adult males have red, blue or white colours which vary according to season. Female turkeys are smaller and are light coloured.

Behavioral Traits: Peacock vs turkey

Peafowls are usually solitary or live in small groups. During mating season peahens seek males and give preference to those having brighter colored feathers; a male peacock-pheasants can live and mate with a group of 5-6 peahens. Peafowls are very cautious birds and always look about the surroundings for any potential danger. Peafowls are diurnal birds; to protect themselves during the night they sleep on trees.

Turkeys have keen eyesight and hearing ability; they can run and fly for small distance very swiftly. They are quite social in comparison to peafowls; they live in bands with each band having a dominant male which protects its territory.

Where do Peafowls live?

Indian blue peacock-pheasants are native to Asia and are mainly found in India and Sri Lanka. They also have a significant population in Malaysia, Indonesia, Java, Nepal and Pakistan.Peafowls are found in deciduous, open forests, dry deciduous and evergreen forests. bird belonging in areas where sufficient water and food resources are available having the least or no interaction of humans.

Where do Wild Turkeys live?

Wild turkeys are widely distributed; North American continent has two types of Turkey species, Germany and New Zealand. The ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a species of turkey that resides mainly in Mexico, Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala and Belize. ocellated turkey is an Near Threatened species.Wild Turkeys live in coniferous forest, hardwood forests, pastures, fields, orchards, and marshes

Amazing Fun Facts for kids:

Some interesting facts about Peafowls?

• Peafowls don’t prefer to bathe as the water weighs their feather and they become heavy; they take dust baths to get rid of any parasites or bugs, instead.
• The Blue peacock, the male peafowl is the national bird of India; hunting or poaching is a criminal offense that will lead to life imprisonment.
• The Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis) is the national bird of Congo.
• Turkeys and Peafowls are bird belonging to not migratory category they also prefer flying.
• The term “peacock” is commonly used to refer bird of both sexes. Technically, males are peacocks. Females are peahens, and all together, they are referred as peafowls.

Some interesting facts about Wild Turkeys?

• Wild Turkeys has been recorded to fly at a speed of 88.5 km/hr.
• It is believed that Male Ocellated turkeys gobble, they sing but in reality they don’t, They wear no beards also.
• Auburn turkey also known as the Light Brown, is a rarest Turkey breed.

Turkey vs Peacock Fight: Who Would Win?

When it comes to the bird fight between North American wild turkey and peacock; it becomes very complex. Wild Turkey is ferocious; once it become habituated to humans it can even attack them whereas peacock is relatively shy bird. Whenever both these birds fight turkey will have the upper hand being more aggressive. We cannot say that whether a turkey can kill a peacock or not; but, it can surely frighten the peacock and it will leave the arena. Hence, Turkey is the winner of this bird duel.

Comparison Table : Peafowl versus Turkey

Comparison Heads	Turkey	Peacock
Kingdom	Animalia	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata	Chordata
Class	Aves	Aves
Order	Galliformes	Galliformes
Family	Phasianidae	Phasianidae
Subfamily	Meleagridinae	Phasianinae
Size	100 – 120 cm	100-120 cm (male), 95 cm (female)
Weight	5-11 kg	4-6 kg
Speed	15 km/hr	16 km/hr
Can fly?	Yes, for a short distance.	Can fly for short distance.
Geographical Distribution	North America, Germany, New Zealand	Indian, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia.
Habitat	Coniferous forest, hardwood forests, pastures, fields, orchards, and marshes	Deciduous, open forests, dry deciduous and evergreen forests
Life Span	8-10 years	10-25 years

Comparison Video: Peafowl vs Turkey

FAQ’S: Frequently Asked Questions