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Table of Contents
Peacocks are male peafowl known for their massive tail and iridescent colors. Two of the three species are native to Asia. In ancient times, Phoenicians imported peacocks to Egypt to be used as decoration.
See the fact file below for more information on the peacock or alternatively, you can download our 28-page Peacocks worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
- Common Name: Peacocks
- Scientific Name: Afropavo, Pavo
- Type: Birds
- Diet: Omnivores
- Group Name: Muster, Pride, Ostentation
- Asiatic Species: Blue or Indian peafowl and green peafowl
- African Species: Congo peafowl
- Average Weight: 4 to 6 kg
- Average Length: 6 to 7 ft
Introducing the Magnificent Peacock
- The magnificent peacock is a large, colorful male peafowl belonging to the pheasant family of birds.
- Only the males are called peacocks.
- Their bodies are covered with brown feathers, and they have a tail with long, impressive blue and greenish iridescent feathers.
- A peacock’s tail makes up approximately 60% of its entire length.
- The majestic tail opens like a fan displaying eye-like spots with red, gold, and green feathers surrounding the eyespots.
- Females are called peahens, babies are called peachicks, and a group is called a bevy.
- Collectively the species are called peafowl, and their scientific name is Afropavo, Pavo.
- Peacocks are found widely in many Asian countries, and they are dominant in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
- Peacocks are 70 – 98 in long (180 – 250 cm), with a tail train of 55 – 63 in (140 -160 cm)
- They have a wingspan of 51 – 63 in (130 -160 cm) and weigh 8 – 13 lbs (3.6 – 5.8 kg)
- Peahens are significantly smaller. They measure 35 – 43 in (88 – 110 cm) in length with a wingspan of 30 – 51 in (76 – 130) and a weight of 6 – 8.8 lb (2.7 – 4 kg).
- Both sexes of all species of peafowl have a crest on top of the head.
- Peacocks are known for their extravagant plumage and also their piercing calls.
- Peafowl live for up to 20 years in the wild.
- In captivity, they have been known to live to over 40 years of age.
- Peacocks can only fly limited distances because of their heavy tail.
Species and Plumage
- There are three species of peafowl:
- The Indian peahen/peacock (Pavo cristatus). This peafowl is about 40 in (100 cm) in length and has iridescent blue and green plumage, mostly metallic. The Indian peahen has a mixture of dull gray, brown, and green in her plumage. The Indian peacock is the only species that carries and flaunts splendid plumage.
- The green peahen/peacock (Pavo muticus) is native to Asia. It grows up to 10 ft (3 m) in length. The green peacock differs from the Indian species in that the male has green and gold plumage and black wings with a sheen of blue. The green peahen is similar to the male but has shorter upper tail coverts, a more coppery neck, and is overall less iridescent.
- The Congo peahen/peacock (Afropavo congensis) is native to parts of Africa and is only about 28 in (70 cm) in length. The Congo peacock does not display his covert feathers. Instead, he uses his actual tail feathers during displays of courtship. These feathers are much shorter than those of the Indian and green species, and the ocelli are much less pronounced.
- Males’ “tails” are also known as a “train” and consist of elongated upper tail coverts.
- These feathers are marked with eyespots, best seen when a peacock fans his tail.
- Peacocks can show off as many as 200 feathers on their tails at any one time.
- The iridescent feathers change color depending on the amount of light and their angle. Based on their spacing, crystal-like structures embedded in the feathers reflect different wavelengths of light.
- Peacocks’ beautiful tail feathers are shed after mating season.
Habitat and Diet
- Peacocks and peahens (peafowl) are forest birds that nest on the ground but roost in trees.
- They live in forests, bushland, farmland, and other warm regions with easy access to low trees.
- Peafowl are omnivores which means that they eat both plant and animal matter.
- They have an inch-long beak adapted for preying on small creatures like insects.
- Their diet includes insects, plants, fruit, seeds, ants, flies, and amphibians.
- Wild peafowl scratch around for their food in leaf litter, usually early in the morning or at dusk.
- During the hottest part of the day, peafowl like to retreat to the shade and security of the woods.
- Peafowl are not fussy eaters and eat almost anything they can fit in their beaks.
- They feed on insects like ants, crickets and termites, millipedes, and small mammals.
- Indian peafowl are also known to eat small snakes.
- Domesticated peafowl eat grains such as oats and corn and will also eat cat food, bread, cheese, and cooked rice. Peafowl apparently enjoy different kinds of meat and fruit, dark leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, beans, and beets.
Reproduction and Young
- Peahens mature earlier than peacocks and can mate by the age of one.
- Peacocks only become sexually active at about three years of age.
- At the age of two, they resemble adults, but their tails do not have the characteristic eyes or ocelli needed to attract and court females.
- Peacocks perform a peculiar dance that fascinates peahens and attracts them to mate.
- Peahens choose a peacock based on its size, color, and quantity of tail trains.
- During a courtship display, the female peahen will stop in front of the male peacock to assess him. The male will then turn to display his beautiful feathers.
- Peahens pay attention to all the different parts of a peacock’s train during his display. She needs to be impressed.
- If the female approves of what she sees and chooses to interact with the male, he will face her and shiver his beautiful train for her so as to begin the mating process.
- After mating, peacocks look for other peahens to mate with, and peahens start building a nest.
- Peahens will scrape a hole in the ground to construct a nest in a thicket or under a shrub and then line the cavity with sticks and leaves.
- If there are predators in the area, the peahen will build her nest in a tree.
- Peahens lay three to six eggs in a clutch and will incubate them for about 29 days.
- Newly hatched peachicks stay with their mothers for months, learning how to eat, groom their feathers, and communicate with other peafowl.
- Chicks of both sexes in all the species are cryptically colored to help them blend in with the surroundings, thereby offering protection from predators. The color varies between yellow and tawny, usually with patches of darker brown or light tan and ivory.
- Peachicks are almost fully grown by one year of age.
- Tails without ocelli appear at the age of two.
- Peacocks have one of the loudest calls in the family of birds. They call out in early mornings and late evenings and in times of danger and mating.
Behavioral Traits
- Peacocks are highly social.
- They usually travel in groups of 8 to 10.
- They are also territorial birds and can be aggressive towards strangers or new peafowl entering their territory.
- Groups of peacocks are called a muster, or pride.
Cultural Significance of Peacocks
- Peacocks are India’s national bird.
- In Hinduism, the peacock stands for benevolence, knowledge, compassion, and kindness.
- On the other side of the world, the Goddess Hera of Greek mythology is associated with peacocks.
- For ancient Babylonians, peacocks were a symbol of guardians.
- In Burma, a gray peacock is their national symbol.
- In Christianity, peacocks are representations of everlasting life.
- According to Feng Shui, a peacock’s feathers safeguard a person from disaster.
Did You Know?
- In many places around the world, peacocks are domesticated.
- There are peafowl that are all-white.
- Peacocks cannot swim. They lack webbed feet essential for birds to swim.
- Peacocks are one of the largest flying birds.
- During Medieval times, peacocks were roasted and then re-dressed before serving on the dinner table of nobles and royalty.
- A recipe book printed in 1864 describes how to prepare and cook peacock.
- Peafowl eggs are also eaten, but they are costly.
Peacocks Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about peacocks across 28 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Peacock worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the peacocks which are male peafowl known for their massive tails and iridescent colors. Two of the three species are native to Asia. In ancient times, Phoenicians imported peacocks to Egypt to be used as decoration.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Peacock Facts
- Peacock Anatomy
- Show Off
- Types of Peafowl
- The Life Cycle
- Peafowl World
- Peacock Trivia
- Scientific Classification
- Peacock Web
- Fact or Bluff
- Peacocks Feathers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do peacocks sleep?
Peacocks usually sleep from dusk to dawn, similar to other birds. Peacocks and peahens find a sheltered place to sleep, sometimes even up in a tree.
Do peacocks lay eggs?
No, peacocks do not lay eggs because peacocks are male. The females, called peahens, lay the eggs.
Are peacocks born with their long tail feathers?
No, all peafowl chicks look the same when they are born. It is not until they reach maturity at three years old that the tail plumage is fully developed.
Are peacocks smart?
Peacocks are not very smart. They are very attractive to look at but are not considered clever.
Do peacocks make good pets?
Peacocks do not mind interacting with humans, but they are neither friendly nor affectionate creatures. They also require special care as pets.
What is a baby peacock called?
Both baby peacocks and baby peahens are called peachicks, and peachicks all look the same when they are born.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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