Peacock
Pavo cristatus
Quick answer
The peacock is the male of the peafowl, best known for its spectacular train of iridescent, eye-spotted feathers, which it fans out to attract females. The most familiar species, the Indian peafowl, is native to South Asia. The train can make up more than 60% of the bird's length, and despite its size the peacock can still fly. Peafowl typically live around 15 to 20 years.
Peacock facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Pavo cristatus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Forest, farmland, and scrub of South Asia |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years |
| Weight | 4–6 kg (9–13 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 16 km/h (10 mph) on the ground |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Pavo |
Where it lives
Forests and farmland of the Indian subcontinent, with related species in Southeast Asia and central Africa.
Peacock or peafowl?
Strictly speaking, only the male is a peacock; the female is a peahen, and together they are peafowl. The brilliant fan is not the tail itself but greatly elongated upper-tail covert feathers, supported from behind by the real, shorter tail when raised in display.
The dazzling display
A peacock raises and shivers its train to create a shimmering fan of color studded with iridescent 'eyespots'. The colors come not from pigment but from microscopic structures that scatter light. Peahens are thought to judge mates partly on the size, symmetry, and quality of this display.
Diet and behavior
Peafowl are omnivores that forage on the ground for seeds, insects, small reptiles, and plants. They roost in trees at night for safety and are known for their loud, far-carrying calls. Despite the cumbersome-looking train, peacocks are capable of short bursts of flight to reach roosts or escape danger.
Range and species
The Indian peafowl is native to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to parks and estates worldwide. There are two other species: the green peafowl of Southeast Asia, which is Endangered, and the lesser-known Congo peafowl of central Africa.
Frequently asked questions about the Peacock
What is the difference between a peacock and a peahen?
A peacock is the male and has the spectacular colorful train, while a peahen is the female and is more subtly colored. Together the birds are known as peafowl.
Can peacocks fly?
Yes. Despite their long, heavy-looking trains, peacocks can fly in short bursts, mainly to reach tree branches where they roost at night or to escape predators.
Why do peacocks fan their feathers?
Peacocks fan and shimmer their trains mainly to court peahens. Females are thought to assess the size, symmetry, and brilliance of the display when choosing a mate.
What do peacocks eat?
Peafowl are omnivores. They forage on the ground for seeds, grains, insects, small reptiles, and plant matter.
How does a peacock get its colors?
A peacock's iridescent blues and greens come from microscopic structures in the feathers that scatter light, rather than from pigments, so the colors shift and shimmer as the bird moves.
