Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Home



Quick Facts

Scientific name: Pavo Cristatus
Class: Bird
Length: 7.5 feet (2.3 meters), including tail length
Tail length: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Weight: 6 to 9 pounds (2.75 to 4 kilograms)
Life span: 30 years
Incubation: 28 days
Number of eggs: 4 to 6 at a time
Age of maturity: 3 years
Conservation status: Common


Where do they live?

There are several species of peafowl, but the Indian peafowl which reside at the zoo can be found in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They prefer to live in rain forests, gardens, and parks which provide vegetation to eat.

A peafowl feast

Peafowl eat seeds, fruit, plants, and some insects, and at the zoo they eat shell corn along with insects found on the zoo grounds. This insect control is a great service that the peafowl provide as they roam the zoo.

Peacocks vs. peahens

Males, called peacocks, have a shimmering blue body and a bright colorful train of feathers, each ending in a colorful “eye.” Peacocks usually do not develop their long colorful trains until they are three years old. Females, called peahens, do not have a train. They are dull grayish brown in color.

How do they stay in the zoo?

Many zoo visitors are surprised to learn that these large birds can fly. Peafowl prefer to walk or run but are able to fly to impressive heights. In the wild, peafowl are very timid birds. Peafowl that are kept in captivity are tame and seldom try to leave their home. They feed on the ground, but at night they roost in trees where they are safe from predators.

What a show off!

Males court females by fanning up their feathers to show off to the peahens. The peahens lay four to six eggs. Approximately 28 days later, the young will hatch. The male does not help with building the nest or raising the young.

Um, there’s a peafowl in my path

Since peafowl tend to stay in their home, we can allow them to roam freely through the zoo, and that means you may encounter one during your visit. Listen for their loud calls, which they emit when surprised or startled.

