Connecticut Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife

Wild peacocks are found in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. It is possible to find peacocks living wild in other parts of the world also, but they have been put there by people at some time.

Only male peacocks have the beautiful spray of feathers. The females (called peahens) don't have these beautiful feathers. By displaying their beautiful tails, males usually manage to attract 2-5 females, with whom they mate. They also vibrate their tails as they dance around for the females.

The eye markings on the tail are much admired by females - the more "eyes" a male has, the more mates he will attract.

Females choose their mates according to the size, color, and quality of the male's outrageous feather trains.

Some males may gather harems of several females, each of which will lay three to five eggs which they sit on for 28 days. Baby peachicks can run around and eat almost as soon as they hatch and can fly at just a week old.

Peacocks are ground-feeders that eat insects, plants, and small creatures.

Peafowl such as the blue peacock have been admired by humans and kept as pets for thousands of years.

Peacocks have been kept as tame birds for over 3000 years, however they can be testy and do not mix well with other domestic birds.

Peacocks are mentioned in ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian history.