One of the most spectacular sights presented by any bird is that of the peacock displaying his tail feathers. In fact, in ancient times, both the Greeks and Romans considered the peacock to be a sacred bird.

The male peacock’s display of gorgeous plumage is for the sake of the female, the peahen, and for her alone. It is usually the male bird that has the brighter colours and the more flashy appearance. The most remarkable feature of the male peacock, of course is the train, or the extension of his tail. A peacock is about 210cm long of which the tail takes up about 90cm.



The tail is a medley of blue and green and gold. Here and there in the regular patters are “eyes” which change colour. The train is raised and held up by the stiff quills of the shorter, true tail. The female peacock is slightly smaller and quieter in tone. She has no train and only a short crest of dull colour. Peacocks are generally kept for ornament and for the sake of their plumage.



Why is a male bird brighter than a female?

One reason the male bird has brighter colours than a female is that they help attract the female during the breeding season. This is usually the time when the male bird’s colours are brightest of all. Even among birds, you see, there can be love at first sight!

The female’s plumage is not so bright so that they blend in better with their natural habitat. The reason being that she needs the most protection when she is sitting on the nest and hatching her eggs. Nature has given her duller colours to keep her better hidden from her enemies. It seems that birds with brighter colours spend most of their time in treetops, while birds with duller colours live mostly near or on the ground.