Description
The peacock displays its beautiful colours, mainly brilliant green, during mating season. It has an extravagant eye-spotted tail, which it displays during courting. It is a joy to see such vibrant colours against the lush green of the mangroves. There are two butterflies at the base of the peacock. In the Wet Tropics we have over 60% of Australia’s butterfly species. Peacocks are large, colourful pheasants – typically blue and green – known for their iridescent tails.
These tail feathers, or coverts, spread out in a distinctive train that is over half of the bird’s total body length and boast colourful “eye” markings of blue, gold, red, and other hues. The large train is used in mating rituals and courtship displays. It can be arched into a magnificent fan that reaches across the bird’s back and touches the ground on either side. Females are believed to choose their
mates according to the size, colour, and quality of these outrageous feather trains. Peacocks are ground-feeders that eat insects, plants, and small creatures.
