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This is a common breeding resident in the country. Even though it is a bird native to south Asia, it has been introduced and can now be found in many other parts of the world in a semi feral state. Other than in Sri Lanka it is also occurs naturally in India and Pakistan.
The conservation status of the species under reference is regarded as Least Concerned (National Red List 2012).
Indian Peafowl is a species protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance as amended by Act No. 22 of 2009.
About five decades ago this species was only known to occur in the dry zone forests of the country. However during the last two decades, the Indian Peafowl had expanded its range quite rapidly with an obvious increase in the numbers of these birds. They are now seen at a number of locations even in the wet zone where they were absent few decades ago and are now commonly seen in agricultural lands such as paddy fields and tea plantations. They are now spreading even in the hills.
I have observed this species to be very common in our entire dry zone national parks as well as areas outside the parks. In the wet zone it is very common in the south in areas such as Elpitiya, Kamburupitiya, Galle, Kanneliya, Matara ect. In the hills I have recorded this species at Morning side at an altitude of 1,120meters.

About 5 decades ago Peafowl was not commonly seen in Wilpattu. However it is one of the commonest birds now and is has also become a prey animal to the leopards. The loud calls of these birds have now become a familiar sound in the park and groups of them are commonly seen at most open areas.