Peacocks - A masterclass in seduction

Feb 20

3 min read

Peacocks: Nature's show-offs, with a side of sneaky. These flamboyant birds, sporting tails longer than your average yoga mat, have been dazzling us humans for ages. And we're still trying to figure out their game.

These strikingly beautiful birds, originally from India, were brought to Australia during the colonial era. While admired for their vibrant plumage, they are also known for their disruptive behavior and loud, distinctive calls. They are not just captivating to observe but also contribute to the ecosystem by preying on snakes.

The peacock, India's national bird since 1963, was chosen for its vibrant beauty, cultural significance, and representation of the country's rich biodiversity. Revered in Indian mythology and folklore, the peacock is often associated with deities like Lord Krishna, symbolizing grace, beauty, and wisdom.

As it also turns out, their dazzling displays aren't just visual. They're also sonic. A recent study revealed that peacocks vibrate their feathers at frequencies too low for our ears to hear. It's like a secret peacock language, only audible to peahens. They can even change the tune depending on whether they're trying to woo a lady from across the field or just a few feet away.

These birds of the Pavo genus (which sounds suspiciously like a pasta dish) are called "peafowl." Males are peacocks (duh), females are peahens (also duh), and the little ones are peachicks (you guessed it). A group of them can be called an "ostentation," a "muster," or, my personal favourite, a "party." Imagine the tiny hats!

Young male peachicks are basically indistinguishable from their mums until they hit puberty, around age 3, when their magnificent trains start to sprout. Before that, it's anyone's guess who's who. Luckily, peacocks shed their tail feathers annually after mating season, so we can collect them without harming the birds. It's like nature's own feather boa factory.

Peacocks can live for about 20 years in the wild, which is plenty of time to perfect their posing. Their tails, which make up 60% of their body length, can reach up to six feet long.

It's a wonder they can fly at all, considering their, shall we say, unique proportions. They're not exactly long-distance flyers, though. Think of them as the sports car of the bird world: stylish, but not practical for cross-country trips.

Then there are the white peacocks. These guys aren't albinos; they're leucistic. It's a fancy way of saying they have a genetic mutation that messed with their colouring. They're basically the peacocks of the goth world.

Speaking of fancy, did you know peacocks were once considered a delicacy? But medieval diners apparently thought they looked better than they tasted. The meat was described as "tough," and "coarse.’ So not as delicious as they look!

Peacocks aren't just pretty faces. They're also master manipulators. Researchers have discovered that peacocks sometimes fake their "copulatory call" (yes, that's what it's called) to attract more females. It's like they're saying, "Yeah, I'm totally experienced," when they might not be. Sneaky, sneaky!

And what about those dazzling colours? It's all thanks to tiny structures on the feathers that reflect light. It's the same trick hummingbirds and butterflies use. They're basically tiny prisms with wings.

Finally, peahens have special sensors in their crests that can detect the vibrations of a distant peacock's tail. It's like having a built-in peacock radar. When a male shakes his tail 26 times a second, (Canadian researchers at the University of British Columbia used high-speed video to study the train-rattling movements of 14 peacocks) creating visual and audio cues and a pressure wave that the peahen can feel. It's like a feathery love letter, delivered via seismic activity. Rapid movement causes the eyespot on the tail feather to glow. The eyespots are held in place by tiny microhooks. Bird courtship at its best.

The peacock, with its mesmerizing plumage and captivating presence, holds a unique position in society. While revered by many as a symbol of beauty, grace, and even divinity, its existence can also spark controversy and division within communities.

But if you live around peacocks I hope you find it in your heart to enjoy them!