How do the tails of some pheasants and megapodes differ from those of other birds?

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A peacock stands with its vibrant green and blue tail feathers fully fanned out in display, showing eye-like patterns across the plumage. — Galliform Blue, or Indian, peacock (*Pavo cristatus*) displaying its resplendent feathers.

The tails of some pheasants and most megapodes differ from those of other birds because they are vaulted, meaning they possess an inverted V-shape in cross section.1

While the tails of galliforms vary significantly in length—ranging from extremely short in species like the painted quail to strikingly long in many male pheasants—this specific vaulted structure is a distinct morphological characteristic found in these particular groups.1