Emerald Spalding
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Because of their high percentage of green blood (at least 75%), Emerald Spaldings are a popular choice for those who love the beauty of the green subspecies but not their aggressive or flighty tendencies. In 2005, the United Peafowl Association stopped recognizing Emerald Spalding as an official variety since some were selling birds that looked like emeralds, but didn't actually have the necessary percentage of green blood. Still, most breeders who raise emeralds still refer to them as such. |
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Type of mutation: Emerald Spaldings are a hybrid of the India Blue and Java Green peafowl. Emerald Spaulding are distinguished from regular spaldings because they are required to have at least 3/4 green blood, although it is often 7/8 or even higher. |
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Peacock Coloration: Males are extremely similar to greens and are sometimes indistinguishable. The neck is green and the wings dark. As well as the white facial patch, emeralds also have a patch of yellow and a tint of blue, characteristics of greens. |
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Peahen Coloration: Hens vary greatly within this variety. The neck is solid green and iridescent. The chest and wings are varying shades of dark brown and rust. Females also have a patch of yellow and tints of blue in their facial patch. |
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Peachick Coloration: Emerald Spalding chicks are noticeably darker than India Blue peachicks, especially on their chest, which is brown rather than cream, and their back, which is almost black. Most emerald chicks' legs have a brown tinge rather than pink. Their heads also differ slightly in shape from blues'. |
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Origin: Emerald Spaldings came out of extensive genetic work with spalding peafowl. Many individuals attempted to breed birds that would retain the beauty of green peafowl but be better adapted to captive life. Emerald Spaldings are less flighty and aggressive than greens, and can better deal with cold weather. However, they are still much poorer in these regards then India Blue and its variations. |
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Do they breed true?: No, Emerald Spaldings will not breed true, for the offspring will have varying degrees of green blood, some of them not enough to qualify the necessary 3/4. |
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Three day old Emerald Spalding chick, photo courtesy of me.
Yearling Emerald Spalding hen, photo courtesy of Sid @ Texaspeafowl.
Mature Emerald Spalding male, photo courtesy of Alex Ancona @ Ancona's Peafowl.
Mature Emerald Spalding male in display, photo courtesy of Alex Ancona @ Ancona's Peafowl.
