Peacock-pheasant
| 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 = 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 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.