The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus): The Royal Bird and its Majestic Train

A male blue peacock displaying its train of ocellated feathers.
The peacock's famous "tail" is not a tail at all, but a train of ornamental feathers used for courtship displays.

The Ultimate Ornamental Bird

Have you ever found yourself mesmerized by an Indian Peafowl strutting its stuff? This breathtaking bird (Pavo cristatus) has long been regarded as a symbol of beauty, nobility, and immortality—who could possibly disagree? Now, here's a fun fact that often confuses people: what do you actually call these stunning creatures? Well, the term Peafowl refers to the entire species.

The eye-catching male flaunting that magnificent tail? That's your Peacock. And the graceful, more understated female? She's known as a Peahen. These gorgeous birds originated in India but have captured hearts all over the globe, adding their spectacular charm to parks and gardens everywhere.

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.

A peahen, the female of the peafowl, with drab plumage and no train.
The peahen, much more discreet than the peacock, is perfectly adapted for camouflage.

The Train: A Spectacular Courtship Display

A peacock displays his famous "wheel" primarily during the breeding season. To attract a peahen, 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. The peahen also calls, but her vocalizations are generally less frequent and powerful.

Listen to the characteristic call of the peacock:

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 Blue Peafowl, selectively bred by humans for its pure beauty.

Habitat and Origin

In the wild, the Indian Peafowl lives in forests and jungle areas in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and neighboring countries. It spends its day on the ground foraging for food (seeds, insects, small reptiles) and roosts in trees at night to protect itself from predators.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a female peacock called?

A female peacock is called a **peahen**. She is smaller and has much more drab 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.