General Terminology and Topography of Green Peafowl

Here are some general definitions. It will be updated regularly.
Morphotype: Any of a group of different types of individuals of the same species in a population
Semi-species: A group of organisms that are taxonomically intermediate between a race and a species, with reduced outbreeding and gene flow, i.e. with incomplete reproductive isolating mechanisms. Semi-species are thought to represent advanced stages of speciation.

Eco-species: Genetically distinct geographic variety, population or race within a species, which is adapted to specific environmental conditions. Generally they can interbreed and have different phenotypes. Also known as Ecotype. It is my opinion that Green Peafowl can be split into 5 eco-species or semi-species.

Intergrade: A morphotype that is phenotypically intermediate between different subspecies or morphotypes.
Peridot: A peafowl of hybrid origin with a large percentage of Green Peafowl ancestry, usually over 90%. Often the term "Emerald Spaulding" is used to describe backcrossed birds with over 75% Green Peafowl ancestry. Peridot peafowl may be almost indistinguishable from pure Green Peafowl and are a grave conservation threat to Green Peafowl in captivity because of their hybrid origin, and should never be interbred or released into a region with pure Green Peafowl.
Composite: Also known as "Evergreen", refers to Green Peafowl descended from more than one distinct morphotype.

Green Peafowl Topographic terms:
Loral Axe: The white, axe-shaped segment of the facial skin, encircling the eye and the lores
War paint: The yellow or orange crescent directly behind the loral axe, going through the ear
Crown: The top of the head
Forecrest: The front section of the crest
Hindcrest: The rear section of the crest
Occipital band: A demarcation line between the loral axe and the scaly neck feathers. This trait prominently exhibited by the Burmese and Yunnan Peafowl, where the occipital band extends further down the nape..
Backplate: The scaly feathers on the back of Green Peafowl, directly preceding the ocelli in the males

Scapular: The iridescent shoulder part of the wing

Penumbra: The smallest ocelli on the train, eg. the scales of the backplate.

Umbra: The darkest section of the ocelli, surrounded by a lighter ring called the lake.

A topographic map of Green Peafowl. Courtesy of Kermit Blackwood

Green Peafowl spotted in Oddar Meanchey Province, Northwest Cambodia

It has been a long time since I have made a post - there will be more to come!

On April 12, 2015, a male Green Peafowl was photographed at the Monk's Forest in Oddar Meanchey Province in Northwest Cambodia.

A male Green Peafowl in the Monks Community Forest in Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia.
Note the dates from the camera trap are wrong.
Photo: Bun Saluth

Green Peafowl with wooly-necked stork in the background.

Situated by the Dangrek Mountains bordering Northern Cambodia with the Khorat Plateau of Thailand, the Monks Community Forest has been protected under the admirable efforts of Venerable Bun Saluth. See this link for more information.

On the Thai section of the Dangrek mountains, the situation is a bit more complicated. Several Thai pheasant breeders claim to have birds from this region, but it is difficult to substantiate whether these birds were collected in this region or from elsewhere.