Considered the prototype of the phoenix in traditional Chinese lore, green peafowls have exerted significant influence on the nation's culture over the past 2,000 years, according to Yang Xiaojun, a bird expert.

"Images of green peafowls can be found in many literary works and artistic pieces," said Yang, who retired from the Kunming Institute of Zoology in Yunnan, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

For example, "A pair of peacocks southeast fly, at each mile they look back and cry" is a line from a famous long narrative poem from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). It can be found in modern textbooks and is widely known among Chinese people.

"The common peafowl was only introduced to China from Southeast Asia in recent years and is now widely seen in zoos. However, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and earlier, China only had the green peafowl, which is a native species," Yang said.

Yang has seen a silk painting from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) depicting the bird.

"With just a few simple strokes, all the characteristics of the green peafowl were captured," the expert said.

Yang added: "So there is special reason for Chinese to protect green peafowls. If they are gone, we won't be able see the origin of the phoenix, a cultural symbol, anymore, and that would be truly sad."