The Scoop

Exotically Beautiful

The peacock, the most beautiful of birds is found in rain forests and forests of Asia and Central Africa. There are three species of this bird. Peacocks nest on the ground, but roost in trees. Though most people call them peacocks, it is actually only a male that is called a peacock. Females are called peahens, and as a group they are called peafowl. Only the male has a brilliantly colored train of feathers that can be arched into a beautiful fan. When a male senses danger, he will spread out his feathers to look bigger and more threatening.  The male also uses this beautiful display to attract a mate. The female is drably colored because she needs to hide in the bushes while hatching her eggs.

Peacocks weigh only as much as an average baby- around 8 to 13 pounds. The tail of the peacock is usually about 5 feet long, while the body is around 4 feet long. Together, they reach a length of around 10 feet- which is about the length of two average 13 year old kids lying head to toe!  Peacocks eat plants, flowers, insects and reptiles and are known as ‘ground feeders.’ Grains that have been sprayed with pesticides are a major threat to peacocks. The forests that they breed in are also disappearing, which means their numbers will decline if they are not protected. You can help by not buying anything made with peacock feathers.  Did you know? The peacock is the national bird of India.