GENERAL INFORMATION

Peafowl belong to the same family of birds as pheasants and chickens (Phasianidae), and are forest birds in the wild. The genus Pavo nests in trees and forages for food on the forest floor. Although most people refer to peafowl as peacocks, the proper terms for male, female, and young peafowl are peacock, peahen, and peachicks, respectively.

DESCRIPTION

Unlike most animals, the peacock and peahen vary greatly in appearance; this is an example of what is known as sexual dimorphism ~ the difference in physical traits between males and females of the same species. Males are the ones with the characteristic long and colorful feathers (usually averaging around 5 feet), which they fan out to attract females for mating. These feathers are usually iridescent, with a few exceptions: notably, the white peafowl! Females are less brightly colored, and don’t have the long feathers. Both sexes have crests on their heads, though the males’ is much brighter. Peachicks resemble turkey poults in size and coloring.

HISTORY

Because of its gorgeous appearance, the peacock has been kept in many countries outside of its native habitat in Central Asia for centuries! You will find peafowl in China, Europe, and the United States, as well as in India, where it is the national bird, and in Pakistan and Burma, east to Java. Peafowl were considered a delicacy in Eastern cultures, and declined in food use only after turkeys were imported to Europe from Mexico in the 16th century!

LIFE CYCLE

 The peahen usually lays between 6 and 12 eggs per clutch. They hatch in 28 days. If a peahen’s eggs are taken, she will probably breed again, and can lay up to 4 sets in one breeding season.

The peacock is fully mature at 3 years old, yet will begin mating practices at 1 or 2 years. This involves spreading his tail feathers and making a loud and distinctive mating call. When breeding season is over, the peacock molts, losing his long feathers and growing new ones for the next season.

Peachicks are born fully feathered and can fly within a week or two. They stay with their mothers while learning to forage for food, gradually becoming more independent after 3 to 5 months. They grow to considerable size by 8 to 10 months, and need winter protection from the cold in more moderate climates, such as North Carolina and colder areas.

Peafowl may live up to 15 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity if kept healthy and safe from predators! They are omnivores and eat flower petals, leaves, grass, seeds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.

MEET OUR PEAFOWL

The Nature Center currently has one peacock and one pea hen. You may have seen them freely ranging through the park, either just outside the front door, or down at the barn! They are a mating pair and in the 2009 season, were the successful parents of 2 different sets of chicks. They are both Indian peafowl. Listen for the male’s unusual mating call in spring and summertime!

SOURCES

www.amyspeacockparadise.com
www.gamebird.com/peacock.html
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peafowl

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©2002 WNC Nature Center