Rethinking the functions of peacock's display and lek organisation in native populations of Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus.

This article focuses on the courtship display behaviors and spatial organization of male Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) during the breeding season, examining their functions beyond female attraction and the nature of their lek mating system. The study found that up to 70% of display bouts occurred without females present, with increased display frequency in the presence of other males, suggesting roles in male-male competition and territory defense. Mapping of display territories in a wild population in Morachi Chincholi, Maharashtra, revealed that display sites cluster around key resources such as food provisioning areas and water sources within a 300–500 meter radius, indicating a non-random, resource-based lek structure rather than a classic lek. These findings imply that resource availability influences territory selection and lek spatial organization, potentially enhancing male competitive ability and female encounter rates.