The terms used to describe these striking ornamental fowl are frequently confused. Most people use “peacock” as a generic name for the species, but this is technically inaccurate and overlooks the specific roles of the male and female. Understanding the differences between “peafowl,” “peacock,” and “peahen” clarifies the bird’s sex and function within its species group.
Peafowl: The Collective Name
The correct, all-encompassing term for the species is “peafowl.” This name designates the entire group of these large, ground-dwelling birds belonging to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. The male is called a peacock, and the female is called a peahen. The young of the species are known as “peachicks.”
Peacock and Peahen: Sex-Specific Roles and Appearance
The most striking difference between the sexes is found in the elaborate physical attributes of the male, a biological phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. The male peacock possesses a massive, iridescent “train,” which is not the true tail but a collection of highly elongated upper-tail covert feathers. This train can reach up to 6 feet long and is covered in hundreds of eye-like spots, or ocelli. The feathers are vibrated and fanned out in a spectacular display, primarily to attract a mate, a process driven by sexual selection.
The peacock’s body plumage is typically a bright, metallic blue and green, sharply contrasted by the peahen’s more subdued appearance. The peahen lacks the lengthy train entirely and has a much shorter, practical tail that is mostly brown or grey. Her overall coloration is a mixture of dull grey, brown, and sometimes muted green on the lower neck, making her significantly less visible. This camouflage is biologically important because the female is responsible for nesting and incubating the eggs, requiring her to blend into the surrounding vegetation to avoid predators.
Peacocks are also noticeably larger and heavier than peahens, with males of the Indian species weighing between 4 and 6 kilograms. The vibrant, structural coloration of the male’s plumage serves as an honest signal of his fitness. Only the healthiest birds can survive and function while carrying such an unwieldy structure. The peahen chooses her mate based on the size, symmetry, and overall condition of this ornate display, directly linking the male’s physical decoration to his reproductive success.
The Three Recognized Species
The peafowl family includes three distinct species: two native to Asia and one to Africa. Each species has its own characteristics and conservation status.
Indian Peafowl
The most commonly encountered is the Indian Peafowl, or Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Native to the Indian subcontinent, this species is categorized as Least Concern by conservation organizations. It is the one most often found in parks and zoos globally, known for its distinctive blue neck and highly visible male train.
Green Peafowl
The second Asian species is the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), native to Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Indonesia. This species is currently listed as Endangered due to significant habitat loss and hunting. Its estimated population of mature individuals ranges between 10,000 and 19,999. Green Peafowl males and females show less sexual dimorphism than the Indian species, with peahens also possessing elongated upper-tail coverts, though shorter than the male’s.
Congo Peafowl
The third species, the Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congensis), is the only one native to the African continent. It is found exclusively in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This species is listed as Vulnerable, with a small adult population estimated between 2,500 and 9,000. The male Congo Peafowl is physically different from its Asian relatives, displaying a much shorter train that lacks the prominent ocelli of the Indian and Green Peafowl.