THE PEACOCK |The Garden of Eaden

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Peafowl are best known for the male's fabulous train of feathers. Correctly called a peacock, he usually displays this to the female (peahen), but may open it simply to please itself of perhaps or for practice. Introduced into Mesopotamia 4000 years ago, this magnificent bird can now be seen all over the world, however its native range is restricted to India and Sri Lanka.

The peacock is revered and protected by law in its native habitat. However, it is so common as an ornamental bird throughout the rest of the world, it would appear to be in little danger of extinction.

What do peacocks eat?

The peafowl emerges from dense forest in the early morning to feed at its favourite spot, and will shortly afterwards moves off to find water. Wild peafowl always live near a convenient water source. The peacock will eat almost anything, but it usually feeds on grain, seeds, fruit and insects. However, the peacock is not averse to supplementing its diet with the odd small snake or mouse.

As dusk approaches, the peacock will return to the same watering hole for a final drink before moving off to roost in the trees for the night. Where do peacocks live? Peacocks live in small groups in hilly forest areas. They spend their days on the ground, finding shade in impenetrable thickets, returning at dusk to the trees where they roost for the night.

As they climb the trees in the late afternoon their screeching call can be heard. Incidentally, Indians believe the call of the peafowl means that there will be rain! They also believe that the iridescent 'eyes' on the peacocks tail have hypnotic qualities. Being sociable and much loved by people in its native habitat, peafowl can often be found around human settlements. In its truly wild state, the fabulous plumage surprisingly acts as good camouflage amongst the trees.

Peafowl have extremely regular habits. They keep to the same roost and feed in the same place day after day. The peacock will even have a specially chosen place for displaying. Preyed upon by tiger and leopards, the peafowl often acts as an early warning system for other game animals. It tends to notice big cats long before any other creatures do, and raises the alarm with a loud hoot.

Peacock culture
In many parts of its native range, the peafowl is considered sacred. It is the bird of the goddess of learning and the god of war. In these places it can often be seen strutting proudly around villages, sometimes even resting there.

Roast peafowl used to be considered a great delicacy, and the fabulous tail feathers have long been prized for their decorative value.

The great beauty, adaptability and hardiness of the peafowl means that it has been introduced as an ornamental bird throughout the world. In fact, many stately homes in Britain - and a few fancy golf courses - also boast their own flock of peafowl.

Peacock Breeding

The Garden of Eaden

THE PEACOCK

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