The Spalding Peafowl ( Pavo cristatus × muticus ) is a popular, hardy hybrid created by crossing the Indian Blue ( Pavo cristatus ) and Green ( Pavo muticus ) peafowl, named for Mrs. Spalding who developed them in California; these birds combine traits from both species, often resulting in a larger body, longer legs, and beautiful iridescent green and blue plumage with more vibrant peahens and males similar to the Java but with a thinner build, and breeders use them to create many unique color varieties.
Key Characteristics
Parentage: A cross between the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus).
Appearance (Male): Similar in color to the Green Peacock but with a thinner body and longer legs than the Indian Blue, displaying striking green, gold, and brown hues.
Appearance (Female): More colorful than the Indian Blue peahen, with more defined metallic green around the neck and darker body feathers.
Hardiness: Known for being hardy, inheriting traits from the robust Indian Blue.
Breeding: Used by breeders to develop new color patterns and phenotypes, often aiming for a look closer to the pure Green Peafowl.
Origin
Named after the late Mrs. Spalding of California, who first successfully crossed a Java Green Peacock with a Black-Shouldered Indian Peahen.
Varieties
Through selective breeding, many Spalding varieties exist, incorporating different mutations like pied, white-eyed, and black-shouldered patterns, as well as colors like Jade, Midnight, and Taupe.
Spaldings are highly sought after in the peafowl fancy for their unique beauty, blending the best of both parent species into stunning new forms.
