Many people commonly use the term “peacock” to refer to both male and female birds of this species. However, “peacock” specifically designates the male bird. This article clarifies the proper terminology and distinctions between male peacocks and female peahens.
Understanding Peafowl Terminology
The correct collective term for these birds is “peafowl.” Within this species, the male is called a “peacock,” the female a “peahen,” and their offspring are “peachicks.” This distinction is similar to how “chicken” is the general term, while “rooster” denotes the male and “hen” the female.
Physical Characteristics of Peacocks and Peahens
A primary method for distinguishing between male peacocks and female peahens involves observing their physical attributes. Male peacocks are known for their elaborate and iridescent plumage, most notably their long “train.” This train is not composed of tail feathers but rather highly elongated upper tail coverts, which can extend up to 5 or 6 feet in length. These feathers are adorned with metallic blue and green “eyespots,” or ocelli, which are prominently displayed.
Peacocks exhibit vibrant blue and green body feathers and possess a prominent fan-shaped crest on their heads. They are also larger in overall size, weighing between 9 and 13 pounds. This train is shed annually after the breeding season.
In contrast, peahens have a more subdued appearance, which serves a practical purpose for survival. Their plumage is duller, featuring shades of grey, brown, or cream, which helps them blend into their surroundings and avoid predators, particularly when nesting. Peahens lack the long, ornate train of the male, possessing only a shorter set of neutral feathers.
They are also smaller, weighing between 6 and 9 pounds and having a body length of 2.5 to 3.5 feet. While peahens do have a crest, it is less vibrant and smaller than the peacock’s. The Indian peafowl exhibits the most pronounced difference in appearance between sexes. In species like the Green peafowl, the female has more coloration, though still less vibrant than the male. The Congo peafowl shows the least sexual dimorphism, with the male’s display being less about elongated coverts and more about his actual tail feathers.
Behavioral Roles
The distinct physical characteristics of peacocks and peahens align with their differing behavioral roles, particularly during the breeding season. Peacocks engage in elaborate courtship displays to attract peahens. This involves fanning their train into a large, shimmering fan, often accompanied by “train rattling” – a rapid vibration of their feathers that creates both visual and auditory signals. Peacocks also emit loud, wailing calls to assert their presence and attract mates, and they defend territories, sometimes forming communal display areas known as leks. Males are polygamous, meaning one peacock will mate with multiple peahens.
Conversely, peahens are responsible for nesting, incubation, and raising the young. They lay a clutch of 4 to 8 eggs, which they incubate for about 27 to 30 days. During this period, peahens are protective of their nests and will only leave briefly to eat or drink. Their duller plumage provides camouflage, allowing them to remain inconspicuous while incubating eggs on the ground. While peacocks display for attraction, peahens are discerning in their mate selection, assessing the male’s health and vigor through his display.