Indian Peafowl: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Show-offs · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. A peacock's train can reach 200-230 cm, far beyond its 100-120 cm body length.
2. A peacock's train has no pigments. Microscopic structures in each feather split and reflect light to make the blues, greens and copper.
3. Young male peafowl look much like females. The train only starts to form after the second year, and is complete at about four.
4. Peafowl are omnivores that also prey on snakes, lizards and rodents when the chance arises.
5. Peacocks can fly but prefer to run through undergrowth when disturbed. They fly up to tall trees to roost at night.

The quiz

1. How long can a peacock's train reach?

• 200-230 cm (correct)
• 20-23 cm
• 100-120 cm
• 50-60 cm

The train can reach 200-230 cm.

2. What creates the colours of a peacock's train?

• Coloured pigments
• Dye from berries
• Microscopic structures that reflect light (correct)
• Oils from its skin

Microscopic feather structures split and reflect light instead of pigments.

3. At about what age is a male's full train complete?

• About one year
• About two years
• About ten years
• About four years (correct)

The full train is not reached until the bird is about four years old.

4. Which animals does the Indian peafowl prey on when the chance arises?

• Fish and frogs
• Snakes, lizards and rodents (correct)
• Rabbits and squirrels
• Bats and owls

It takes snakes, lizards and rodents when the chance arises.

5. What does a disturbed peacock prefer to do?

• Run through undergrowth (correct)
• Fly far away
• Hide in water
• Fan its train

It prefers to run through undergrowth when disturbed.

More about the Indian Peafowl

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries