Peafowl are fascinating animals to learn about. Peafowl are
huge
birds
that don’t fly very well, and spend most of their time on the
ground searching for food and a place to nest.
They are
beautiful because of their feathers. Male peafowls, called peacocks,
have brilliant feathers that are different colors. Their feathers are
green, blue, and gold and form an eye spot pattern. Peacocks have long
feathers that grow on their back and are five feet long, which is longer
than their bodies. Peacocks use their tail feathers, which are much
shorter, to lift and display their long colorful feathers to attract
females, called peahens. The feathers of peahens are far less
interesting. They are brown with a white belly, and green on their neck.
Peafowls eat seeds, fruit, insects, worms and snakes. When
they’re not looking for food, they’re looking for a place to nest and
lay their eggs. Peahens lay up to five eggs. It takes about a month for
her eggs to hatch. Once they hatch they follow their mother. They do
this to learn what to eat.
Peafowls live in open forests,
woodlands, near streams, and rivers. Wild Indian peafowls are native to
India and Sri Lanka, in South Asia. In other countries they can be
found in zoos.
Peafowls are interesting because their
feathers are so beautiful to look at. When I go to the zoo I make sure
to go visit the peacock before I leave.
[Source: National Geographic Kids]
