| Peacock-pheasants | |
|---|---|
| |
| male Palawan peacock-pheasant Polyplectron napoleonis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Subfamily: | Phasianinae |
| Tribe: | Polyplectronini Blyth, 1852 |
| Genus: | Polyplectron Temminck, 1807 |
| Type species | |
| Polyplectron chinquis[1] = Pavo bicalcaratus Temminck, 1823
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Polyplectrum (lapsus) | |
The peacock-pheasants are a bird genus, Polyplectron, of the family Phasianidae, consisting of eight species. They are colored inconspicuously, relying on heavily on crypsis to avoid detection. When threatened, peacock-pheasants will alter their shapes using specialised plumage that when expanded reveals numerous iridescent orbs. The birds also vibrate their plume quills further accentuating their aposematism. Peacock-pheasants exhibit well developed metatarsal spurs. Older individuals may have multiple spurs on each leg. These kicking thorns are used in self-defense.
- ^ "Phasianidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved August 5, 2023.