Community science data reveal hybridization between the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) in Florida (USA)

Peafowl (Genus Pavo) are established as introduced taxa in the state of Florida, USA, where they are generally considered to be Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) by most authorities. Escaped Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) are also known from Florida but are not thought to have established populations in the state. When held together in captivity, Indian and Green Peafowl regularly produce fertile hybrids (Spalding Peafowl). These hybrid peafowl have traits that are phenotypically intermediate between their two parental species; for example, F1 hybrid males can be visually identified by a series of characters, most reliably by the shape of their bare facial skin patch and the coloration of their wing plumage. To investigate the possibility that hybrid feral peafowl occur in Florida, I applied a visual hybrid index to photographs of feral peafowl sourced from the citizen science website iNaturalist, from five Florida counties where feral peafowl are common (Miami-Dade, Pinellas, Orange, Broward, and Brevard counties). Indian Peafowl predominated in the sample and Green Peafowl were nearly absent, but a substantial proportion (similar to 35-50%) of feral peafowl in Miami-Dade County had characteristics consistent with hybrid ancestry. This hybrid population likely constitutes an anthropogenic example of a class of hybrid zone known as a hybrid swarm. This finding is consistent with the trend that admixed populations are associated with successful species introductions and can help ornithologists understand the conditions that facilitate successful introductions in birds.