Endangered species are those species which are at risk of extinction. The Indian peacock or blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus), a large and brightly coloured bird, is a species of peafowl native to South Asia. Indian peafowl is widely distributed in the wild across South Asia and protected both culturally in many areas and by law in India. Conservative estimates the population put them at more than 100,000. Peafowl breeds readily in captivity and as free-ranging ornamental fowl. Zoos, parks, bird-fanciers and dealers across the world maintain breeding populations that do not need to be augmented by the capture of wild birds.