Multi-Crop Utilisation and Aggregation Patterns of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) in Smallholder Agro-Ecosystems of Matale District, Sri Lanka

Human–wildlife conflict in agricultural landscapes can threaten both farmers’ livelihoods and wildlife conservation. This study investigated crop utilisation, flock size, aggregation patterns, and demographic composition of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) in smallholder agro-ecosystems in the Matale District, Sri Lanka. Field surveys conducted from September 2023 to May 2024 across Palapathwela, Galewela, and Naula recorded 298 sighting events involving 2,449 birds across 14 crop types. Tomato fields accounted for the highest number of sightings (20.8%), followed by paddy (17.8%) and chilli (8.7%). Mean flock size was highest in groundnut (9.28 ± 3.32) and cabbage (9.25 ± 2.77) fields, while eggplant had the highest proportion of large-flock observations (56.2%). However, statistical analyses detected no significant differences in flock size or large-flock occurrence among crop types (p > 0.05). Males predominated in most crop-associated flocks, and chicks were observed across several crop types. These findings demonstrate that Indian Peafowl utilise a diverse range of cultivated crops, without statistically significant crop-specific differences in flock aggregation. The frequent sightings in tomato and paddy fields highlight the importance of further research and targeted conflict mitigation to promote coexistence between farmers and wildlife.