How long do peacocks live? Peacocks live for 20 to 30 years. Their lifespan can depend on their care, environment, and diet. If you take care of peacocks in captivity, they can live for 40 to 50 years.
How Long Do Peacocks Live?
Peacocks live between ten and twenty-five years in the wild. Peacocks in captivity have been living for 40-50 years on average. Even though there are significant distinctions between the peahen and the peacock, their lifespans are very comparable. Peacocks live longer than most other types of fowl. The following examples can help you compare:
| Breeds | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Chickens | Chickens in the wild have three to seven years. In captivity, however, they have been known to survive far longer than in the wild. Between ten and twelve, they may expect to live a long life. |
| Turkeys | The usual lifespan of a wild turkey is between three and five years. They can outlast their wild counterparts since they’re kept in a zoo. It is not uncommon for turkeys to survive up to ten years in captivity. |
| Ducks | In the wild, mallard ducks live for five to ten years; in captivity, they may live for up to twenty years. |
Note: To put it another way, peacocks have a better life expectancy than some of the best-known fowls. Continue reading to learn more about the life cycle of a peacock.
Life Stages of a Peacock
| Life Stages | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Embryonic Stage | After mating, a peahen (female peacock) will lay a clutch of three to six eggs, depending on the species. Without the male, these eggs are incubated for 29 days. |
| Hatchlings | During this time, chicks learn to care for their feathers, communicate with other peahens, and feed themselves. |
| Adult Males | Peacock males mature after about a year when they reach their maximum size. Adult male peacocks look like two-year-olds but lack the complete train and the distinctive “eyes” on their tail feathers. Peacocks become sexually mature at the age of three. |
| Adult Peahens | Peahens achieve sexual maturity roughly a year earlier than males. Depending on their habits, Peahens will mate now or wait until the next year. |
| Senior | Peacocks don’t suffer from any major health issues as they become older. However, an avian vet should keep an eye on older peacocks to catch any abnormalities before they become serious. |
The Average Peacock Life Cycle
In the peacock life cycle, the spectacular mating display between males and females makes for an entertaining read. Mating, eggs, hatchlings, chicks, and maturity are the several phases of a chick’s life cycle.
Mating
Presenting a train is the peacock’s primary mating ritual. Males extend their tails out in a fan shape to attract mates and flap their feathers back and forth. When the peahen notices this, she is free to select the male of her choice. The quantity and quality of the plumage display can influence a female’s choice of mate.
Eggs
Peahens produce three to six eggs after mating. During this time, she will be able to care for them on her own, without the aid of the male.
Hatchlings
With no feathers, the hatchling may eat and drink straight away. All chicks must be able to feed themselves immediately because birds do not give their young milk. Hatchlings and adults graze on ground scrapes and pecks of feed, and they may also eat tiny insects and grass.
Peachicks
Warmth is critical for peachicks throughout the first few weeks of their lives. At this point, they become a member of the general flock, with no further attention from a particular family within the larger group.
Peacocks and Peahens
Peacocks are virtually finished maturing in a year. Unlike adults, 2-year-olds don’t have the characteristic eyes of older males. Around the age of three, they begin the sexual activity. One-year-old peahens are capable of mating with peacocks. Others wait until the second year before making a decision.
The Lifespan of a Peacock: Factors to Consider
Peacocks lack a wide range of defense mechanisms. A larger animal will nearly always defeat them, even though they have sharp beaks and claws. A lack of protection makes them vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening dangers.
Factors that jeopardize the life span of the peacock are as follows:
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Loss of Habitat: Regarding endangered species, Indian peacocks and green peafowl are not in the same league. Due to habitat degradation, the worldwide population is rapidly decreasing and becoming very fragmented.
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Predation: In the wild, peacocks face a wide variety of predators. Peacocks have been preyed upon in the wild by various animals, including mongooses, raccoons, wild cats and dogs, and jungle cats like leopards and tigers.
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Hunting: Due to the peacock feather trade, the unlawful shooting of peacocks for their feathers has increased in nations like India. Bird hunting was made illegal in India to save the peacock population from declining further.
The rainforest is their favorite habitat, and these birds are happy to call it home. For them to survive, they need a place to hide from large predators, as well as trees to perch on. A growing human population is damaging a growing number of natural areas.
Why Are Some Peacocks Longer Lived Than Others??
Food
Like many other birds, peacocks will consume just about everything they can get their beaks on. These chickens thrive on a diet rich in protein, grains, green vegetables, seeds, chicken feed, and insects, worms, and grubs, all of which are included in their food. Game bird feed mix is also good for peacocks.
Habitat and Environment
In the wild, there are usually at least ten peacocks in a flock. In captivity, peacocks and birds like chickens and turkeys get along well. Peacocks need to be in a group setting to thrive. Thus they should never be left alone. To raise peacocks in a peaceful environment, having just one male and several females is ideal.
Shelter
Rural areas are ideal for them, although enclosures may help protect them from predators. Peacocks should be able to roam freely in enclosures or fences to minimize overpopulation or physical harm.
Peacock Size
The size of a bird’s body affects its lifetime. Peacocks, for example, are large species that have a shorter lifespan than smaller species. However, a peacock’s lifetime is lengthened in captivity since it is protected from predators and food shortages.
Peacock Sex
The longevity of most birds, including the peacock, is not significantly different between the sexes. In contrast to other species, the males and females of a peacock do not appear to differ significantly, whether in captivity or the wild.
Genes
There isn’t as much selective breeding in peacocks as in many other species. Despite this, there is no evidence to suggest that the train’s condition is linked to good genetic health qualities. Marek’s illness, caused by the virus, is a problem for peacocks, who are vulnerable to it.
Health care
Peacocks can survive in captivity in their 30s or more if they receive proper veterinarian treatment. A certified avian vet should deworm and treat captive peacocks for coccidia. Veterinary care is available for peacocks with feather lice and mites, histomoniasis, or bacterial illnesses.
Threats
Poaching, smuggling, hunting, and predation are all threatening the survival of the peacock in the wild. It is very uncommon for these animals to be snatched from the wild because of the high value placed on their aesthetic appeal. One of the primary causes of the species’ decline is the illegal trade in its feathers.
There is also a food shortage for peacocks due to the displacement of other species and habitat degradation from harvesting, animal agriculture, and mining. The African Congo peafowl and the green peafowl are both endangered species. Animals that prey on captive peacocks include wolves, coyotes, and other predators of the wild.
Summary
Several variables influence the longevity of a peacock. Healthcare, housing, and food are just a few examples. Peacocks may live for 10 to 20 years in ideal conditions.
How Do Most Peacocks Die?
Peafowl is notoriously relatively brief. In the first several months of life, peachicks have a mortality rate of roughly 50% and are extremely fragile. Even in captivity, mortality rates for peachicks remain high, contrary to popular belief.
In captivity, the adult peahen isn’t always as attentive to her chicks as she is in the wild, and she may overlook some of her offspring. These young peacocks risk being eaten or attacked by larger peafowl or other older chicks.
Once they’ve reached adulthood, Peafowl is particularly sensitive to illness in a farmyard where they’re confined. Avian flu, fowlpox, mycoplasma, laryngotracheitis, and different endoparasites are some diseases that can affect birds.
Summary
Peafowl is preyed upon by lions, tigers, wild dogs, wolves, and leopards in the wild. Smaller land predators and birds like eagles and owls prey on peachicks.
Raising Peafowl Has Many Advantages
It’s possible to have a lot of fun raising peacocks at home. According to most peafowl owners, the following are some of the advantages.
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Fun for the Whole Family - A fascinating exotic bird, the peacock, may be kept as a pet in your backyard. A peacock is great if you’re searching for a new feathered friend to add to your backyard herd.
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Community - A family of animal lovers adores peacocks. If you get involved, you’ll learn all you need to know to get the most out of your peacock.
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Income Sources - In the end, peacock keepers make money by selling the feathers and eggs they collect from their flocks. The peacock’s eye design is only one of several well-known and iconic feather patterns. They’re in high demand almost all the time.
FAQs
Some related questions are given below:
1 - How long do peacocks in captivity live?
Peacocks in captivity have been living for 40-50 years on average. Even though there are significant distinctions between the peahen and the peacock, their lifespans are very comparable. Peacocks live longer than most other types of fowl.
2 - How do peacocks show off their sexual prowess?
To attract the attention of peahens, peacocks rattle or shake their feathers roughly 25 times per second, producing a rattling sound and an iridescent show.
3 - What do peacocks do when it rains?
It’s their manner of luring a partner’s attention. Peacocks appear to be dancing in the rain when mating and rainy seasons coincide, giving the illusion that they are heralding the arrival of the rainy season.
4 - How long do peacocks live in the wild?
Peafowl may live up to 25 years in the wild. Peafowl kept in captivity can live up to 40 or 50 years in captivity.
5 - Why do peacocks cry at night?
The breeding season brings out the loudest peacocks, who scream and scream and scream in unison. They scream, but before mating, the male makes a distinct cry. A bell-like cry is heard as he rushes at her.
6 - Can peacocks go swimming?
No, they cannot swim, according to the overwhelming majority of internet responses. Peacocks cannot swim for various reasons, some of which are discussed in online bird forums. Many other explanations have been offered, including the simple fact that they lack webbed feet.
7 - Is the peacock clever?
Webster remarked that this was amazing, given that peacocks aren’t known for their intelligence. Because of their lack of intelligence, he compared them to “a tamed turkey,” he claimed. Even Nevertheless, the birds are visually appealing, and as a result, many people are drawn to them.
8 - What is a peacock’s mating ritual?
A peacock’s train feathers must be raked and shivered in a certain manner to show fluttering feathers and different sounds when courting possible mates. The grandiose show necessitates a great deal of physical strength and stamina, which is why this wooing dance has long been considered a sign of a man’s health.
9 - Can peacocks be allowed to roam freely?
After a few weeks, if they don’t show any signs of wandering off, or if spring and summer bring more wild food, you can reduce the amount of food and treats you provide them. Keep a close eye on them when you initially release them to the wild.
10 - What should you not feed peacocks?
Peacocks consume not just cat food but also cheese, almonds, scrambled eggs, cooked rice, grains, and leftovers from kitchens, in addition to other foods. To keep peafowl in the best possible health, it is essential to provide them with a diet high in protein. You are not recommended to give your peacocks poultry layers pellets or mixed maize as a diet.
Conclusion
Peacocks live a long time, although not as long as some other exotic birds, which may live for over a century. Several dangers to peacocks in the field limit their lifespans: habitat degradation, predation, food shortages, poaching, and hunting.
Peafowl lifespan in the wild is a mystery with no solid data to back it up. Peafowl has been known to live for more than 30 years, 40 years, or even 50 years in captivity! It’s impossible to verify tales that peafowl may live for 50 years, though.