Beyond The Plumage: Incredible Peacock Information for Kids

If there ever were an Award for the ‘Most Beautiful Bird in the World’, it would go to the Peacock!’

There will be few that disagree with the above statement. There’s nothing quite more resplendent, than the sight of a peacock’s scintillating ‘plumage’ in the rains! Little wonder, then, that this wonderful bird has garnered the unique distinction of being The ‘National Bird of India’!

The Peacock is one of those birds your child will know well, even before they go to school! Why not get them even more excited about this glorious bird? In this article we have compiled for you a List of Amazing Facts about the Peacock. This comprehensive list is inclusive of everything ranging from Peacock Physical Characteristics, to some Interesting Facts about the Peacock you probably didn’t know before.

What are you waiting for? Dive in, and find out some pertinent Peacock Information that extends well ‘Beyond the Plumage’, with our list of Amazing Facts about the Peacock!

Table of Contents

• All the Peacock Information you Need: 12 Amazing Facts about the Peacock

All the Peacock Information you Need: 12 Amazing Facts about the Peacock (h2)

There’s far more than that magical ‘Peacock Appearance’ that makes its way felt every once in a blue moon!

Presenting some Interesting Facts of the Peacock that every child needs to know.

1. A Riot of Colors!

Perhaps the first thought that magical Peacock Appearance evokes in us is: ‘What a Profusion of Colors!’

Cool Fact: There are microscopic, ‘crystalline’ structures in the feathers of peacocks, that ‘reflect light’ and produce those breathtaking colors.

2. No Stranger to Humans

The peacock is a bird we humans have been familiar with since ancient times.

Cool Fact: We know it as the Peacock, but the Ancient Greeks christened it ‘Hera’s Bird’!

3. The Uniqueness of Peacock Physical Characteristics

It’s interesting to note that with this species of bird called the ‘Peafowl’, the males are the more ‘beautiful’ ones. Their female counterparts, the ‘Peahens’, are far less attractive! Cool Fact: The males actually fan out their feathers, in an attempt to attract a potential mate. This is a process known as ‘Train Rattling’.

4. They used to be Hunted extensively

Just like the elephant is hunted for its tusks, the Peacock, too, was extensively hunted until not too long ago. That is, until the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 stepped in, to protect peacocks from the perils of hunting.

5. An Elaborate Courtship

Apart from displaying their feathers with an undiluted sense of pride, peacocks strut around with a sense of confidence and even fan their tails in eye-shaped patterns.

Cool Fact: This ‘vibrating of feathers’ and ‘rhythmic dancing’ of the peacocks, is also referred to as the ‘Peacock Mating Dance’!

6. The Habitat of Peacocks

Unlike most birds, peacocks are ground-dwelling birds. They prefer to dwell in places like farmlands and forests. Any place that gives them easy access to plants they feed on.

Cool Fact: Peacocks are predominantly found in India, Sri Lanka and Burma. However, their presence is felt in almost every country in the world.

7. They can Fly, too!

Though they might prefer ground over the air, that doesn’t mean peacocks cannot fly!

Cool Fact: Peacocks only fly for limited distances. That being said, they usually fly when they are attempting to escape from a predator.

8. It takes Years for Peacocks to develop beautiful Tail Colors

Until they are about 3 months old, the male ‘Peacock’ looks pretty much like their female ‘Peahen’ counterpart!

Cool Fact: While they start developing ‘traces of colour’ in their tail feathers at 3 months of age, it’s only when they are 3 years old that peacocks will be able to boast of that splendid ‘plumage’!

9. Peacock Lifespan

Peacocks are known to live anywhere between 10 and 25 years.

Cool Fact: The above represents the approximate age range for free-roaming peacocks. Peacocks in captivity can even live up to 40 years!

10. The Peacock Diet

The Peacock is an omnivorous bird that feeds on several things apart from plants.

Common Peacock Foods: Fruits, seeds, bread, insects like ants and locusts.

Cool Fact: Peacocks are even known to eat Cobra Snakes!

11. A Noisy Bird

Did you know, there are up to 11 different sounds a peacock can make?

Cool Fact: The sounds that peacocks make are usually very loud, and can get bothersome after a while.

Bonus Fact: In the rainy season, the peacock is known to make a ‘meowing’ sound, much like a cat does. They do this to indicate the presence of ominous clouds!

12. Becoming the National Bird of India

It was in the year 1963, that the Peacock was designated the title ‘National Bird of India’.

Cool Fact: The peacock has a strong association with gods and goddesses in India. A case in point would be the presence of a ‘Peacock Feather’ in Lord Krishna’s crown.

Getting your kids to garner more Peacock Information is essential. Not only because it is the National Bird of India, but because it will help them cultivate more empathy towards all living creatures. Go on then, and enlighten your child today with some Interesting Peacock Facts!

For more such interesting blogs, Visit EuroKids!

References

1. PBS

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/peacock-fact-sheet/

2. The San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm

https://sandiegoanimalsanctuaryandfarm.org/5-fun-facts-about-peacocks/