Male peacocks are called peacocks, while female peacocks are called peahens. Male peacocks are usually about twice the size of female peacocks.
Male peacocks look especially larger than female peacocks when displaying their plumage feathers. When male peacocks are not displaying, their tail feathers, called trains, drag behind them. Peacocks are omnivores, feeding on plants, seeds, flower heads, insects, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. They are known for their snake-fighting abilities. Peacocks are social birds, but very aggressive towards invaders of their territories.
They often play together, especially under the sunlight. Playing peacocks always follow one direction. Peacocks usually travel in groups of up to 10 peacocks. Peacocks are one of the loudest animals on earth, calling out to each other during the morning and late evening.
Peacocks make meowing sounds when it is going to rain. They also make alarm calls when they sense danger. Male peacocks sing to attract female peacocks. During the mating season, male peacocks mate with up to six different female peacocks. Peahen lay 4 to 8 brown eggs. Mother peacocks incubate the eggs. A more distinct and little-known species, the Congo peacock, inhabits African rain forests. Peafowl such as the blue peacock have been admired by humans and kept as pets for thousands of years.
Selective breeding has created some unusual color combinations, but wild birds are themselves bursting with vibrant hues. They can be testy and do not mix well with other domestic birds. All rights reserved. Common Name: Peacocks. Scientific Name: Afropavo, Pavo. Type: Birds. Diet: Omnivore. Group Name: Muster, ostenstation, pride. Size relative to a 6-ft man:. This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram.
Follow us on Instagram at natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo. Share Tweet Email. Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. The body of the blue peacock appears blue, while the body of the green peacock appears green. The African peacock is a darker blue-green and brown. Chicks bear cryptic coloring in shades of tan and brown that help them blend in with their environment.
Both males and females are large birds, but males are about twice the length of females because of their feather train. On average, adults range from three to over seven feet from beak to tail tip. They weigh between six and thirteen pounds. Originally, the Indian peacock came from the Indian subcontinent. Now it is widely distributed across South Asia. The African peacock is native to the Congo Basin.
The three peafowl species do not naturally overlap ranges. All three species prefer forested habitats. Like other pheasants, peafowl are omnivorous, basically eating anything that fits in their beaks. They eat fruits, insects, crops, garden plants, seeds, insects, small mammals , and small reptiles. At night, peacocks fly to tree branches to roost in family units. The breeding season is variable and depends largely on rain. Males fan their feathers to attract a mate.
A female may select a mate based on several factors, which include the visual display, its low-frequency vibration picked up by the female's crest feathers , or the male's call. A blue peacock has a harem of two to three peahens, while green and African peafowl tend to be monogamous. After mating, the female scrapes a shallow nest in the ground and lays between four and eight buff-colored eggs.
She incubates the eggs, which hatch after 28 days. Only the female cares for the chicks, which follow her around or may be carried on her back when she flies to roost.
Peafowl reach sexual maturity at two to three years of age. In the wild, they live between 15 and 20 years, but they may live 30 years in captivity. Peafowl conservation status depends on species. In , the number of mature birds was estimated to range between 2, and 10, The green peafowl is endangered. Fewer than 20, mature birds remain in the wild, with a decreasing population.
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