Indian Peafowl

Overview

The Indian peafowl, commonly called a peacock, is a large ground-dwelling bird native to South Asia, world-famous for the male's spectacular iridescent tail display.

Appearance

Males have a vivid blue neck and an enormous train of iridescent green-and-bronze tail feathers marked with eye-like spots, while females are a duller brown and cream.

Habitat & Distribution

The indian peafowl is found in forest, grassland habitats.

Diet & Behavior

Diet: Omnivore — Animals with flexible diets that eat both plants and animals, adapting to whatever food is available in their environment.

Males fan their elaborate train and shake it in a rattling courtship display to attract females, who choose mates based on train size and symmetry.

Interesting Facts

• 1

  The colorful 'tail' males display is actually made of elongated upper tail covert feathers.

• 2

  Peacock feather colors come partly from microscopic structures that bend light, not just pigment.

• 3

  Females choose mates based largely on the size and symmetry of the male's train.

Gallery

Indian Peafowl FAQs