Peacocks

Peacocks are one of the most recognizable birds in the world. In the wild, you will find them roaming open forests, streamside forests, and other cultivated areas from Eastern Pakistan through India, and south from the Himalayas to Sri Lanka. They usually live for 20-24 years. Males, females, and young are classified with different names; males are called peacocks, females are peahens, and young are peachicks.

Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay’s peacocks are free-roaming around the park, but you can usually find them near the Bird Gardens area.

During mating season, a male peacock establishes a territory known as a lek. Females wander through many males’ territories when it’s time to breed in order to find the perfect mate. Interestingly enough, males do not often help raise the young peachicks.

Q: What does a peacock’s diet consist of?

BG: Peacocks eat grains, insects, small reptiles and mammals, berries, wild figs, and some cultivated crops.

Q: How long is the incubation period for a peacock?

BG: A peacock’s incubation period is 28 days and the clutch size ranges from 3-12 eggs.

Q: What has given peacocks an excellent chance of survival?

BG: During the Roman times and the Middle Ages, peacocks were considered a status symbol because of their striking appearance. This paved the way for a long and close association with humans giving them an excellent chance of survival.