Buzz
Male peafowl, commonly known as peacocks, lose their magnificent feathers every year as part of a natural cycle. This stunning imagery is captured by Alexander Spatari/Getty Images.Essential Insights
- Every year, peacocks undergo molting, a hormone-driven process that occurs after the mating season, leading to the shedding of their tail feathers.
- This molting cycle enables peacocks to regenerate their feathers, which grow back longer and more vibrant within approximately seven months, just in time for the next mating season.
- The dazzling eyespots, or ocelli, on peacock feathers result from the intricate structure of the feather fibers, which manipulate light to create iridescent hues.
A peacock devoid of its feathers resembles a monarch without a crown, a tiger stripped of its stripes, or a cowboy missing his boots. The male of the peafowl species, known as the peacock, has long been a symbol of elegance, majesty, and pride. Much like other male birds, the peacock's striking appearance overshadows the modest peahen, and he flaunts his iconic feathers to captivate potential mates.
However, each year as summer draws to a close, peacocks cease their vibrant displays, and their magnificent feathers begin to shed. This natural process, referred to as molting, is a routine occurrence in the lives of most birds. Over time, feathers can deteriorate and lose their effectiveness, and since they don’t regenerate, birds must replace them entirely. This molting phenomenon is akin to the shedding of skin by snakes. Hormones initiate the molting process, which is strategically timed to occur after the mating season to conserve energy for the growth of new feathers [source: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology].
Within approximately seven months – just in time for the next peafowl mating season – peacocks regrow their feathers, which emerge longer and more luxurious. A peacock's tail attains its full splendor around the age of 6 [source: Hopkins]. In fact, the elaborate trains of mature peacocks can span over 5 feet (1.7 meters) in length [source: National Zoo]. Thanks to the added size from their feathers, peacocks rank among the largest birds capable of flight.
When peacocks shed their old feathers, humans often repurpose them rather than letting them go unused. Dating back to the Phoenicians in biblical times, peacocks were transported from their native habitats in India and neighboring regions to adorn royal estates [source: National Zoo]. While various peafowl species display hues of blue, green, white, light brown, or purple, India's blue and green peacock is the most prevalent. In India, the peacock is not only the nation's highly protected bird but also holds sacred significance in Hinduism. Even today, breeders collect molted feathers to meet the enduring demand for these elegant plumes in home décor and fashion industries.
Peacock Tail Feathers
Each feather on a peacock's train features a circular, jewel-like ocellus or eyespot at its tip. The term ocellus originates from the Latin word "oculus," meaning "eye." These shimmering spots contribute to the feathers' exotic and captivating appearance.
The structure of peacock tail feathers is uniquely designed to showcase their vibrant ocelli when the bird fans its tail. This effect is achieved through layers of feathers known as upper-tail coverlets [source: National Zoo]. While the ocelli appear to display various shades of blue and green, the feather fibers themselves are pigmented black. The iridescence is created by the way nanoparticles within the fibers reflect sunlight at different angles [source: Milius].
In rare cases, peacocks may be born without pigment, resulting in albino peacocks. These birds are entirely white, yet their feather structure remains unchanged, and their ocelli are still clearly visible.
During mating season, male peacocks gather in territorial clusters called leks. Peahens wander through these groups, almost as if browsing for a potential mate. To attract the females, the males showcase their full plumage, strutting and shaking their feathers in a display known as shivering by ornithologists.
Charles Darwin theorized that the number and brilliance of a peacock's ocelli play a crucial role in attracting peahens. He suggested that this form of sexual selection led to the gradual evolution of more elaborate and ornate trains in peacocks to appeal to their female counterparts.
A 2008 study conducted in Japan questioned the traditional belief about the purpose of peacock trains, suggesting that the intensity of a peacock's feather-shaking display toward a peahen significantly increases his chances of attracting her. The researchers proposed that movement and mating calls, rather than the iconic ocelli, might be the primary factors influencing attraction [source: Viegas]. Over a seven-year observation of peafowl mating behaviors, the study found that even peacocks with less vibrant fans and fewer ocelli were just as successful in mating as their more flamboyant counterparts. However, challenging Darwin's theory is no small task, and the scientific community remains divided on whether the role of ocelli in attracting peahens can be dismissed entirely.
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Greek mythology offers an explanation for the peacock's distinctive spots, attributing them to a woman named Io. As a priestess serving Hera, Zeus's wife, Io caught the eye of Zeus, who transformed her into a heifer to shield her from Hera's jealousy. Hera, however, saw through the deception and convinced Zeus to gift her the heifer/Io. Once in possession, Hera assigned Argus, a figure covered in eyes, to watch over Io. Zeus later sent a servant to rescue Io, resulting in Argus's death. To honor Argus and his many eyes, Hera adorned the peacock with the "eyespot" pattern.
