What Is a Peacock's Diet?

The male peafowl--the peacock--consumes an assortment of foods.

The peacock is a male peafowl, a member of the pheasant family, of which three separate species occur in the wild. The diet of the male peafowl consists of many different items.

Natural Diet

Peacocks in their natural settings--nations such as the Congo in Africa, Pakistan, India and Malaysia---will scratch around on the ground searching for all types of foods. The birds will consume such things as insects, small mammals and reptiles, seeds, grain, berries, parts of flowers and greens.

Water

Most peacocks will obtain water during the middle of the day. The birds attempt to avoid the direct heat of the day if possible. Before retiring to their roosts for the night for safety, the peacock will once again go to a water source for a drink, notes the San Diego Zoo.

Diet in Captivity

In captivity, peacocks enjoy a varied diet provided for them, reports the Game Bird and Water Fowl website. Grains, bird mashes and pellets make up a substantial portion of their diet. Other foods include fruits and vegetables, chopped hard-boiled eggs, peanuts, vitamins, mineral supplements, live crickets, mealworms and grit to help the bird digest its meals.

References

• San Diego Zoo: Birds: Peafowl
• Game Birds Water Fowl: Pheasant & Peafowl Diets in Captivity