Peacock trivia summary

Peacocks, known scientifically as Pavo and Afropavo, attract onlookers with their majestic and colourful fan-like display.

The display is often associated with courtship rituals, with males spreading and twinkling their tails, which are composed of more than 200 elongated feathers.

There is also a peacock dance. It is used by males to attract mates and also to secure their territory.

Their plumage seems quite conspicuous, but the iridescent colours also serve a protective purpose. They are bright when seen up close, but from a distance they also have the effect of blending into the forest.

When they fan their tails, the eye markings remain stationary while the surrounding colourful areas sparkle, creating an illusion of depth that confuses predators.

And while the peacock’s large tail is often thought to make it an easy target for predators, it can actually confuse or startle an attacker, giving the peacock a chance to escape.

However, they should not be too large or conspicuous. Attractiveness and survival are a trade-off, and peafowl are no exception. The bigger and brighter the tail and other parts of the body, the more attractive the male is to the female, but the more likely he is to be quickly spotted and preyed upon by a stronger predator.

Despite their beautiful appearance, their call is quite loud. Those who imagine them to be as graceful as they appear may be surprised.

In terms of habitat, they are native to South Asia and East Africa, but have been introduced into many parts of the world, particularly into gardens, parks and zoos.

Their diet consists of insects, plants and small creatures. While skilful ground fliers, peacocks are also strong flyers and can often be seen roosting high up in trees.

They can also damage vehicles and property with their sharp beaks, so potential pet owners should be wary of them.

In the wild, peacocks can live for up to 25 years, which shows that they are strong survivors.

Nevertheless, peacocks in the tropical forests of South-East Asia have been decimated by habitat loss and hunting.

They can swim.

Females often mate with several males and lay several eggs at once. This group of eggs laid at once is called a clutch. This multiple-male mating clutch is a peacock behaviour, a strategy known as polyandry.

This polyandry, in which a single female mates with several males during the breeding season, helps to ensure genetic diversity and is thought to increase survival rates.

Incidentally, the white peacock is a variant of the Indian peacock. It has reduced pigmentation due to a genetic mutation called leucochromia.

The peacock’s magnificent tail does not develop until around six months of age, and by the time it is three years old it has a fully ornamental glow.

A final cultural aspect is that it often symbolises beauty, immortality, etc. in many cultures around the world, such as being the national bird of India and appearing in Christian art as a symbol of resurrection.