The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus): The Royal Bird and its Majestic Train
The peacock's famous "tail" is not a tail at all, but a train of ornamental feathers used for courtship displays.
Introduction
The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a large galliform bird, famous for its majestic appearance and spectacular plumage. It is native to India and Sri Lanka. Its dimensions are as follows:
Length: 90 to 110 cm (without the train)
Total Length (male with train): 195 to 225 cm (6.4 to 7.4 ft)
Wingspan: 80 to 160 cm (2.6 to 5.2 ft)
Weight: 4 to 6 kg (8.8 to 13.2 lbs) for males, 2.7 to 4 kg (6.0 to 8.8 lbs) for females
The male is particularly recognizable by its long ornamental train of over 200 ocellated feathers, which it deploys into a spectacular "wheel" during courtship. The female, called a peahen, is smaller and more discreet. The Indian Peafowl has long been domesticated and is appreciated for its beauty in parks and gardens worldwide.
Our Ornithologist's Advice
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published June 21, 2025.
My personal advice: Observing an Indian Peafowl is always a moment of wonder. To fully appreciate this bird, especially during its display, keep these points in mind:
Patience is key for the display: The peacock's "wheel" is not a constant. It is primarily deployed during the breeding season to attract females. Look for males strutting and emitting their characteristic calls; this can be a prelude to the spectacle.
Distinguish the train from the tail: What is often called the "tail" is actually a long train of upper-tail coverts. Its true tail is shorter and serves as a support for this magnificent adornment. Observe how the male vibrates it, creating a shimmering play of colors that mesmerizes the peahen (and onlookers!).
The surprising call: The peacock's call, often described as a harsh "may-awe" or "kee-ow," is powerful and piercing. Don't be surprised by this contrast between its visual beauty and its vocalization, which is a key element of its territorial and courtship communication.
These details will help you better understand and appreciate this magnificent bird, beyond its aesthetic beauty alone.
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The Peacock and the Peahen
The most common question about peafowl is the difference between the male and female. The sexual dimorphism is extreme.
The Peacock (Male): An Exuberance of Color
The male peacock is spectacular. It boasts iridescent blue plumage on its neck and chest, a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head, and most notably, a long train of over 200 feathers. These feathers, which can be up to 1.5 meters (5 ft) long, are adorned with eye-like patterns called "ocelli". This train is often mistaken for its tail, which is actually much shorter and serves as a support structure.
The Peahen (Female): The Embodiment of Discretion
What is a female peacock called? She is a peahen. Her appearance is much more subdued. Her plumage is mostly gray-brown, with a metallic green neck and a white belly. She is smaller than the male and, crucially, lacks the long ornamental train. This discreet coloring serves as camouflage when she is incubating her eggs on the ground.
The peahen, much more discreet than the peacock, is perfectly adapted for camouflage.
Dimensions and Scientific Records (Indian Peafowl)
Characteristic
Male
Female
Record / Average
Length (body)
90 – 130 cm
86 – 100 cm
Up to 130 cm (body only)
Total Length (with train)
195 – 225 cm
Not applicable
Up to 2.30 m (train included)
Weight
4 – 6 kg
2.7 – 4 kg
Up to 6 kg
Wingspan
80 – 160 cm
80 – 160 cm (similar)
130 – 160 cm
Flight Speed
Up to 16 km/h (short flight)
Up to 16 km/h (short flight)
Short, powerful flight, up to 100 meters in distance and 10-15 meters in height
Lifespan
10 – 25 years
10 – 25 years
15-23 years (in wild) / 18 years (average)
These figures confirm the Indian Peafowl as a large bird with a notable lifespan and a short but powerful flight capability, essential for its safety.
Not to be confused with...
Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus)
The Green Peafowl is another peafowl species, distinct from the Indian Peafowl. It has a predominantly green neck and chest, whereas the Indian Peafowl's are iridescent cobalt blue. Its beak is stronger, and its crest is more pointed. Its silhouette is also more slender.
Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congensis)
The Congo Peafowl is the only African peafowl. It is significantly smaller, and its plumage is dark blue-green with iridescent reflections, and it has a more modest crest. It does not possess the long ornamental train of the Indian Peafowl.
The Train: A Spectacular Courtship Display
A peacock displays his famous "wheel" primarily during the breeding season, to attract a peahen and deter rivals. He fans his train into a huge, colorful display and shivers it, creating a shimmering visual effect and a rustling sound. Peahens are thought to choose males with the highest number of ocelli on their feathers, a sign of good health and strong genes.
The Peacock's Call: A Surprising Sound
While a peacock's plumage is magnificent, its call is much less so! It lets out a loud, piercing, and somewhat harsh scream, often described as a "may-awe" or a "kee-ow". This powerful call, especially common at dawn and dusk, can carry for over a mile and serves as an alarm signal for other animals. The peahen also calls, but her vocalizations are generally less frequent and powerful.
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The Mystery of the White Peacock
The white peacock is not a separate species and is not an albino. It is the result of a genetic mutation called "leucism," which causes a loss of pigmentation in the feathers. Unlike an albino, a leucistic white peacock has blue or black eyes, not red ones. It is a color variation of the Indian Peafowl, selectively bred by humans for its pure beauty.
Habitat and Origin
The Indian Peafowl is native to Asia, primarily found in forests and jungle areas in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It has been introduced and is now bred in many regions worldwide. In the wild, it inhabits tropical mountainous forests and clearings, often near water bodies. It spends its day on the ground foraging for food and roosts in trees at night to protect itself from predators.
Distribution Map
Present year-round (Resident)
Breeding Range
Wintering Range (Non-breeding)
Passage Area (Migration)
Diet
The Indian Peafowl is an omnivorous bird with a very varied diet. It primarily feeds on seeds (grass, corn, sunflower, oats), fruits, berries, shoots, and other plant matter. It supplements its diet with animal prey such as insects, worms, invertebrates, small reptiles (including venomous snakes like cobras), amphibians, and even small mammals. This dietary diversity allows it to play a beneficial role in its ecosystem by controlling pest populations.
Reproduction
Peafowl are polygamous birds, with males often attempting to gather a harem of several females. The breeding season occurs during the monsoon season, from April to August. The female builds her nest on the ground, usually under bushes, using dry branches and leaves. She generally lays 3 to 6 eggs, with a maximum of 8. Incubation lasts approximately 28 to 30 days, carried out by the female who only leaves the nest to feed and drink. After hatching, the chicks, called peachicks, remain sheltered and under the mother's protection. The young resemble females but are lighter in color and lack the green iridescence of the adult plumage.
Conservation Status
The Indian Peafowl is classified as "Least Concern" (LC) by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Its global population is considered stable and the species is highly adaptable. Although native to Asia, it has been introduced to many countries and is widely bred in captivity, contributing to the stability of its numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a female peacock called?
A female peacock is called a peahen. She is smaller and has much more subdued plumage than the male.
Why do peacocks spread their "tail"?
It's a courtship display. The male fans out his long train of feathers to impress and attract females during the breeding season.
Is a white peacock an albino?
No, a white peacock has a genetic condition called leucism, which results in a lack of pigment in its feathers but not its eyes. A much rarer albino peafowl would have red or pink eyes.
