The main reason why peacocks spread out their tail feather is to attract a mate. This is how — through evolution and many thousands of years — the peacock has got to the point where their tail feathers are so huge. Essentially, through the process of selective breeding due to the peacock with the largest feathers mating the most, the offspring carry the genes with the most feathers.
Another reason why a peacock will spread out their tail feathers is an act of aggression. If they feel threatened, they will spread out their feathers to make themselves seem as large as possible. This is common in the animal kingdom. However, some species have traits that seem to decrease their chances of survival. The long, heavy train does indeed make it difficult for peacocks to escape predators.
Darwin speculated that the peacock evolved its exotic tail to attract a mate, thus helping it produce more offspring and increase the number of offspring with attractive tails. The function of the elaborate iridescent train of peacocks has been the subject of much scientific research and debate.
They observed male mating behavior in leks, sites with several males who display in close proximity for the purpose of mating. Petrie and her team found that males who had the longest trains and the most eyespots were the most successful with females Petrie et al. While they admit not knowing the definitive reason for these elaborate trains, they do propose some possibilities, including that the males who possess these preferential train characteristics are in good health, have high status, are parasite free, and have survived into old age.
Thus, the desirable genes will pass from the males to their offspring. One study by Takahashi et al. Loyau et al. However, they did not find a significant effect on mating success. Peacocks whose tails are clipped enough that it reduces the number of eyespots are less successful at mating. Males with very few eyespots in their tail feathers — a measure of the size of the tail — were unattractive to females, but males with more spots than average had no advantage.
According to Dakin et al. They suggest that peacocks who keep their feathers might be the healthiest and fittest. Traits such as the number of eyespots are only a rough measure of tail quality. Peahens have a unique sensing ability in their crests. It has been researched that the vibrations created by the tail of a peacock can be sensed by the crest of peahens. In this way, they can communicate to decide whether they want to mate or not. Research conducted by Roslyn Dakin and his teammates in , shed light on the biomechanics of peacock feathers.
They used different techniques for their research and had done fieldwork as well as lab work. They had studied that peacocks train their feathers for performing the ritual of courtship. They usually perform this action while the peahens are around. Peacocks will only try to impress those peahens which they want to mate with. If the peahens get attracted by this visual attention, then they will become involved in copulation.
The researchers wanted to know if the mechanical properties and morphology of the feathers play some kind of role in courtship in peacocks. The research was conducted on 14 adult and 14 sub-adult peacocks. They have recorded the audio because they wanted to know about the frequencies of the sounds produced by the vibrations. The recorded sounds are then compared with the sounds made by the vibrations created by other animals.
It goes from the tail to the upper parts of the plumage. The estimated frequencies for train rattling and covert rattling are above the predicted value for animals. Male peacocks shed their train each year after mating season. Despite their giant tail feathers peacocks are able to fly, though they do not fly very far. When in danger, peacocks fly up into trees.
They also spend nights in trees. Peacocks can also run quickly. Male peacocks are called peacocks, while female peacocks are called peahens. Male peacocks are usually about twice the size of female peacocks. Male peacocks look especially larger than female peacocks when displaying their plumage feathers. When male peacocks are not displaying, their tail feathers, called trains, drag behind them. Peacocks are omnivores, feeding on plants, seeds, flower heads, insects, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
They are known for their snake-fighting abilities. Peacocks are social birds, but very aggressive towards invaders of their territories. They often play together, especially under the sunlight.
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