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Peacock
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A male peacock, Pavo cristatus, stands with its vibrant tail feathers fully fanned out in display before a brown-feathered peahen. Peacock coloration A male Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, with vibrant blue neck and head and a long, colorful green tail with eye-like patterns, stands on a paved surface. A peacock stands with its vibrant green and blue tail feathers fully fanned out in display, showing eye-like patterns across the plumage. Male blue Indian peacock standing on grass with its vibrant tail feathers fully fanned out, displaying colorful eyespots in a courtship display.
See how game theory applies to the peacock's tail evolution
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Peacock: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 13, 2026
Modified link of Web site: PNAS - Coloration strategies in peacock feathers. May 22, 2026
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The evolution of peafowl and other taxa with ocelli (eyespots): a phylogenomic approach. Oct 02, 2025
Add new Web site: PNAS - Coloration strategies in peacock feathers. Jun 16, 2025
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Genome Sequence of Peacock Reveals the Peculiar Case of a Glittering Bird. Mar 29, 2025
Add new Web site: Academia - Peacock. Sep 16, 2024
Add new Web site: Academia - Peacock. Sep 16, 2024
Article revised and updated. Apr 25, 2024
Add new Web site: New Zealand Birds Online - Peafowl. Oct 16, 2023
Add new Web site: World Animal Foundation - Peacocks οΏ½ Types, History, Habitats, Traits, and More! Mar 31, 2023
Add new Web site: Animal Diversity Web - Pavo cristatus. Sep 20, 2022
Updated the conservation status of the green peacock (Pavo muticus) and the Congo peacock (Afropavo congensis). Changed β€œIn both species of Pavo” to β€œIn blue and green peacocks.” May 27, 2020
Added material about peacock reproduction and peacocks conservation status. Oct 17, 2017
Add new Web site: Animal Corner - Peafowl Peacock. Sep 04, 2016
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Peacock. Sep 04, 2016
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and technology For Kids! - Peacock. Sep 04, 2016
Add new Web site: Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Indian Peafowl. Aug 17, 2016
Add new Web site: Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Indian Peafowl. Aug 17, 2016
Add new Web site: Smithsonian National Zoological Park - Indian Peafowl. Apr 25, 2014
Add new Web site: ILoveIndia.com - Peacock Bird. Apr 25, 2014
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Animals - Peacock. Apr 25, 2014
Add new Web site: Animal Planet - Peacock. Aug 22, 2013
Add new Web site: San Diego Zoo Kids - Peafowl. Mar 12, 2013
Add new Web site: A-Z Animals - Peacock. Mar 12, 2013
Add new Web site: IndiaNetzone - Peacock - Indian National Bird. Mar 12, 2013
Add new Web site: Public Broadcasting Service - Peacock. Mar 12, 2013
Add new Web site: San Diego Zoo Animals - Peafowl. Mar 12, 2013
Add new Web site: New Zealand Birds - Peacock. Mar 12, 2013
Media added. Jan 16, 2013
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Peacock. Aug 28, 2008
Added new Web site: Pro Football Hall of Fame - Biography of Forrest Gregg. May 21, 2008
Added new Web site: Enchanted Learning - Peafowl. Feb 28, 2008
Media added. Feb 19, 2008
Article added to new online database. May 04, 1999
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