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Peacock-pheasant

Birds

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Peacock-pheasants are a genus of bird, Polyplectron, in the pheasant family Phasianidae, comprising eight species. They are colored inconspicuously and rely heavily on crypsis to avoid detection, but when threatened they alter their shape using specialized plumage that, when expanded, reveals numerous iridescent eye-like orbs, and vibrate their plume quills to further accentuate the display. Peacock-pheasants have well developed metatarsal spurs, and older individuals may carry multiple spurs on each leg, used in self-defense.

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