All about the peacock: diet, behaviour and care
Written by Kelsey | Content Specialist |
A peacock is a striking bird and is known for its colourful feathers. But how does a peacock actually live and what do they eat? In this blog, you can read what a peacock eats, what its natural behaviour looks like and find answers to frequently asked questions.
What does a wild peacock eat?
In the wild, a peacock is a true omnivore. They eat both plant-based and animal-based food and spend a lot of time foraging on the ground for food.
A peacock’s diet includes:
- Seeds and grains
- Berries and fruit
- Green plants and leaves
- Insects and larvae
- Small animals such as worms and sometimes even small reptiles
This varied diet provides a peacock with different nutrients that contribute to its health.
What does a peacock eat as a pet?
When keeping a peacock, it is important to match its diet to its natural eating habits. They are often given a base of poultry feed or a grain mix. You can also supplement this with vegetables, fruit and insects or animal proteins. Variety in the diet is important to support overall health. Also make sure fresh drinking water is always available.
How often does a peacock eat?
Because peacocks spend a lot of time foraging, they are used to eating small amounts throughout the day. When you keep a peacock as a pet, you can copy this by offering food at different times of the day.
Can a peacock fly?
A common question is whether a peacock can fly, and they certainly can! However, they do not fly long distances. They mainly use their wings for short stretches or to reach a higher spot such as a tree or perch. They often do this to rest or to feel safe.
Sometimes peacocks are clipped to prevent them from flying away. This involves shortening part of the feathers, which means a peacock cannot fly as well, but this is usually a temporary measure because the feathers grow back during moulting. Wing clipping does affect natural behaviour, because they cannot as easily seek out higher places.
How old does a peacock get?
On average, a peacock lives to around 15 to 20 years old, but this also depends on its living conditions. With the right care and diet, a peacock can live a long and healthy life.
What should you keep in mind when keeping a peacock?
Peacocks need specific care that you should take into account. They need plenty of space to move around and forage. That is why they are often kept in a large garden or an aviary.
They are also known for their loud call. Especially during certain periods, they can be very noisy, and this may be experienced as disruptive by those nearby. It is important to take this into account.
Peacocks are social animals, so it is not recommended to keep them alone. They should be kept in groups of at least two hens, possibly with one cock. Do not keep them together with chickens, turkeys and other poultry, because they can pass diseases to one another.
