The peacock is rightly considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
It is small, resembling a chicken, but with a magnificent tail fan. Only males have this tail and bright coloring. Females are much more modestly colored. It is noteworthy, but these painted birds belong to the group of hens. They are direct relatives of domestic hens and pheasants. The international scientific name of an ordinary peacock is Pavo cristatus. These are not all interesting facts about a peacock.
Tail fins of peacocks are necessary not only for the charm of females. The stains on feathers resemble eyes, and the bird uses them for protection. A predator hesitates to get in touch with the bird when the whole hundred eyes look at him. Peacocks themselves are also predators. They hunt snakes, not afraid to engage in a battle with a five-meter cobra. At the same time, the birds with a lush tail are unpretentious to the living conditions and can adapt to any environment. We have collected for you the most interesting and surprising facts about a peacock.
7 facts about a peacock
- The body length of the peacock is about a meter. Together with the tail, the length of the peacock is three times longer.
- Peacocks in the East were considered a symbol of kingliness and were sacred birds. So they lived at every palace or temple.
- The tail of the peacocks does not grow from birth. It begins to grow at the age of 3 – 4 years.
- The homeland of peacocks is considered Asia. But the population of peacocks is also in Africa. They are called Congolese peacocks. Now they are on the verge of extinction.
- It is believed that peacocks can only walk on the ground. But they can also fly. A long-tail does not bother them at all.
- Peacocks are of real longevity. In nature, they live for about 20 years, and in captivity, they can live for even half a century.
- Peacock feathers are a popular ornament for the home. There were times when they were in almost every apartment. To get them, not a single bird was killed. Once a year, the peacocks are molted, completely dropping their tail. That is why they are always so bright.
Top 3 most interesting facts about a peacock
- A luxurious peacock tail fan is not a tail at all. There are feathers growing above the tail, and the tail itself is much less visible.
- There is also a white peacock. This is not an albino and not a separate species. It is just a genetic mutation that allowed them to stand out as a separate subspecies.
- In Asia, peacocks are considered a symbol of pride and immortality. And in Russia peacocks represented narcissism and selfishness. From here, the expression appeared: dissolve the tail like a peacock.
Little known facts about peacocks
Peacock meat has long been considered a delicacy. For many centuries, it was on the tables of European monarchs and most noble nobles. Now peacock meat is no longer considered a delicacy, and breeding of these birds for gastronomic purposes is almost completely over.
But peacocks’ problems have not diminished. Even in the absence of hunting, they die from predators and chemicals in their habitats. The green peacock suffers the most from it, it is declared extinct. The Congo peafowl suffers a little less, but it is also considered vulnerable. Only the Indian peacock still does not suffer from human activity, although these peacocks are domesticated by man.
Amazing Facts About Peacocks
You may not be familiar with the peacock, but you may be surprised to know that this majestic bird has an impressive range of communication skills. It can make 11 different sounds and is also able to communicate with other species, ranging from birds to humans. The sounds it makes are very different from other animals and cannot be detected by the human ear. This bird can also produce a low-pitched screech when it shakes its tail.
Peacocks can fly up to 16 km/h (about 10 mph). Their beautiful feathers and colorful markings make them one of the most beautiful creatures on earth. Their wingspan is about 4.9 feet or 1.5 meters, and their tails are remarkably patterned. While they make their nests on the ground, they prefer perching on treetops. Ancient Greeks believed that the meat from peafowl did not decay even after they died, and peacocks were thought to be symbols of immortality. In addition, the Bible praises the peacock.
Peacocks are large birds with wingspans of almost five feet. They weigh about eight to thirteen pounds and stand between two and three feet tall. Their tails are 60 percent of their body length. Their legs, meanwhile, can reach up to 1.5 meters. And while they are relatively small, their feathers are among the brightest in the world. And as you can see, they can run fast. They can fly at speeds of up to 10 mph.
Peacocks can produce 11 different sounds. They use their tail feathers to make noise, and the female uses them to call for attention. They can even make a high-pitched sound when strutting. It is interesting to note that peafowls don’t like to be alone. In fact, they prefer to travel in groups of eight to ten. Interestingly, a peacock’s tail has a pattern on it. These patterns are passed on from parent to offspring, so you can easily identify a peacock from afar.
Despite the fact that peacocks can run and fly, they are more likely to run. In addition, they don’t like to be alone and can bond with humans. Their flocks tend to travel in groups of up to eight to ten members. And because they are so large, the peacock’s wings aren’t as long as their bodies. They’re the largest flying birds on earth, but they only fly a few feet.
Peacocks can run at speeds up to 16 km or about ten miles per hour. They can fly, but they usually prefer to run. In addition to its wingspan, the peacock has a body length of about five feet, and its tail makes up over 60% of its total length. And the tail isn’t just beautiful: it’s also quite useful! The feathers on a peacock’s body are very attractive.
Peacocks can run and fly but they prefer to run. It is estimated that they weigh between eight and thirteen pounds. The length from their head to their tail is almost five feet. Their tails comprise 60 percent of their overall length. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful peacock in a park. So, get your camera ready for amazing facts about peacocks!
Peacocks can fly short distances, but they prefer to run. They are eight to thirteen pounds and can reach a length of five feet and a half meters. They are highly social animals and prefer to travel in groups of eight to ten people. They have four toes on each foot and can run up to 10mph. Their tails can measure more than a half meter in length and weigh around a pound.
The peacock is the national bird of India and co-related to the goddess Saraswati. It is considered sacred in India. Its circular spots on its tail represent the eyes of God and represent knowledge, compassion, and kindness. The white peacock is the symbol of eternal happiness. Its lustrous tail feathers reflect different wavelengths of light. The life span of a male peacock is about 20 years.
