Hobbies And Interests

Interesting Facts on Peacock Birds

Peacocks are male peafowl, although the term can also be used as a common name for both genders. The female peafowl is called a peahen, and she is smaller and less colorful than the peacock. Females also lack the flamboyant trains typical of most peacocks. A group of these magnificently decorative birds is known as an ostentation.
  1. Species

    • The Indian peafowl found in India and Sri Lanka is the most common species. It has vibrant blue feathers on its neck and head. The green peafowl is vulnerable to extinction, but as of 2011 it was still found in parts of Java and Burma. Green peacocks have bright green neck and head feathers. A third species, the Congo peafowl, is an endangered bird found in small numbers in Africa. Congo peacocks have bright blue head and neck feathers, but lack the distinctive train seen on Indian and Green peacocks.

    Ornamental Trains

    • Peacocks have large, spectacular trains that can contain more than 200 feathers. The ornamental train feathers are gold, blue, green and red, and feature distinctive eye-like markings called ocelli. The total length of a peacock's train can measure up to 5 1/4 feet, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the bird's total length. The peacock's large, decorative feathers are covert feathers that cover the tail feathers beneath. This bird's real tail feathers are short and grey.

    Flight

    • Peafowl are one of the world's largest types of flying birds. A baby can fly two weeks after it is hatched. However, peafowl have a low wing surface to body weight radio, so they can only fly for short distances at a time. The peacock's long train feathers do not affect its ability to fly.

    Feeding Habits

    • The majority of the peacock's omnivorous diet is made up of insects. They also eat small reptiles and mammals, and some vegetation such as berries and grains. Peacocks are practical in India because they eat small cobras. Peacocks tend to forage for food early in the morning and just before nightfall when temperatures are cooler.

    A National Symbol

    • The Indian Peacock is the national bird of its native India. The peacock is particularly important to Hindus who believe the Hindu god Kartikeya rides on the back of this bird. The popularity and importance of the Indian peacock has helped ensure its protection in its native habitat.

    Courtship

    • Peacocks use their decorative trains to attract female mates. During courtship rituals, the peacock creates a large fan from their trains that cause its decorative feathers to quiver. The fan, along with a crowing sound, helps the male bird attract females. Peacocks are polygamous birds. A single peacock may have between two and five mates.


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