Peacocks are the bird of Tharparkar, and the monsoon is the time to see them. Wild Indian peafowl live in villages and scrub across the district, call loudly before the rains and display their trains once the rains begin. You do not need a sanctuary gate or a guide: they live around villages, fields and temples, and the best way to see them is to drive slowly in early morning or late afternoon.
This guide covers where to look, the best season, how to behave around the birds, and what has happened to them in recent years.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Species | Indian peafowl, the blue peacock |
| Best season | Monsoon, roughly July to September |
| Best time of day | Early morning and late afternoon |
| Where | Villages and scrub across Tharparkar, including Nagarparkar and Islamkot |
| Protection | Reported as protected within the Thar Desert Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Cost | No fee we could find; no ticket needed |
When do peacocks dance in Thar?
The Indian peafowl breeds with the monsoon, and males fan and quiver their trains to attract females. Their calls become more frequent before the rains arrive. In Tharparkar, rain also brings green growth, insects and seed, so the birds are more active and easier to find. Dawn describes peacocks spreading their feathers as part of the monsoon scene that Thar has long celebrated, with folk songs and children playing on the dunes.
The long train is shed every year, usually beginning at the end of the monsoon in August or September, and is fully grown again by February or March. So a September visit may catch males without their full trains. For the biggest display, go during the rains in July and August.
Rain is not guaranteed. Monsoon arrival differs from year to year, and Thar can go long stretches with little. Our Tharparkar weather guide and monsoon guide explain what to expect.
Where to look
Peacocks are common near villages, temples and fields throughout the district. Reports of recent deaths name Islamkot, Nagarparkar, Chhachhro, Diplo and Kaloi tehsils, which shows how widely they occur. Nagarparkar and the Karoonjhar hills are often described as the greenest part of the district and a good habitat for wildlife.
Practical places to try:
- Villages on the road from Mithi to Nagarparkar. See our Mithi to Nagarparkar road guide.
- Around Nagarparkar and Rooplo Kolhi Resort. Dawn notes peacocks are commonly seen here in the monsoon. See the resort guide.
- The Karoonjhar hills. See our Karoonjhar guide.
- Temple compounds and village edges. Birds often roost in tall trees at night and forage in open ground in the morning.
How to watch peacocks
Peafowl feed in open areas early in the morning, rest in the heat of midday, and come to roost at dusk, often calling before they settle. That gives you two good windows: first light and the hour before sunset.
- Stay on the road or path and approach slowly. A bird that runs or flies has been disturbed.
- Keep your distance, use a zoom lens, and do not chase for a photograph.
- Do not feed them. Some villagers keep peacocks, which are considered sacred locally, so ask before photographing birds around houses.
- Leave nests and young birds alone.
- Keep dogs, loud music and drones away.
What has happened to Thar's peacocks
You should know the context. Peacock deaths from disease have recurred in Thar. In 2012 the Poultry Research Institute in Karachi confirmed Newcastle disease, locally called Ranikhet, behind a wave of deaths, with at least 167 reported in three weeks. In April 2025, Dawn reported more than 250 dead peacocks across several tehsils. A wildlife official suspected heatstroke linked to extreme summer heat and lost tree cover, though locals described symptoms like those of an infectious disease.
Population figures differ wildly. Dawn quotes about 500,000 birds, while a 2005 survey cited in 2012 reported around 40,000 in the region. We have not printed a figure for that reason. What is clear is that peacocks are common but vulnerable to heat, disease and loss of habitat.
If you find sick or dead birds, do not handle them, and report them to the Sindh Wildlife Department or local officials.
Planning a trip around peacocks
A peacock trip is really a Tharparkar trip. Base yourself in Mithi, then go to Nagarparkar. Add the Jain temples and hills rather than making peacocks the only goal, because sightings cannot be promised.
If you go in the monsoon, remember the hazards: Dawn reports more than 350 lightning deaths in Tharparkar since 2018. Shelter in a vehicle or building during storms, and avoid dunes and lone trees. Some roads can be difficult after heavy rain.
Nagarparkar is near the Indian border, and the UK government advises against all but essential travel within 5 miles of that border in Sindh. Pakistani visitors routinely go, but carry your CNIC, expect checkpoints and check local news first. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can affect insurance. See is Tharparkar safe.
Who is it for?
Peacock watching suits patient travellers, families who like quiet wildlife and photographers prepared to be up at dawn. It does not suit anyone who wants guaranteed sightings or an organised wildlife park.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see peacocks in Tharparkar?
Across the district, in villages, fields and scrub. Nagarparkar, Islamkot and the road between Mithi and Nagarparkar are reasonable places to look.
When is the best time to see peacocks in Thar?
During the monsoon, roughly July to September, when the birds display and call more. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day.
Do peacocks lose their feathers?
Males shed the long train every year, usually starting at the end of the monsoon, and regrow it by February or March.
Is there an entry fee?
We found none. The birds live around villages rather than in a ticketed park, though the species is reported as protected in the Thar Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.
Why have peacocks died in Thar?
Disease and heat have both been blamed. Newcastle disease was confirmed in 2012, and in 2025 an official suspected heatstroke.
