How to Find a Peacock

Peacocks were once given as gifts to royalty.

Peafowl are large birds that originated from the Indian subcontinent. The male peafowl, the peacock, has a stunning trail of feathers that can be fanned into a scintillating display of color. However, the tail is not the only beautiful part of these birds. Their chests and neck are a deep dark blue violet, and their backs are a deep, metallic greenish bronze. The jewel-like colors are so stunning that these birds have been transported throughout the world to brighten outdoor areas. Some have become feral; others are domesticated.

Things You'll Need

• Travel plans
• Map
• Local advice
• Phone book
• Computer
• Internet connection
• Money

Instructions

Buying a Peacock

1. 

   Peacocks eat seeds, nuts and many types of grain.

   Consult Birds Now (http://www.birdsnow.com/peacock.htm), an online aviary classified system that offers many peacocks for sale. The birds can be shipped.

2. 

   Female peafowl are much plainer than males.

   Visit your local aviary or pet shop. Locate them through a consultation of the phone book, the Internet or through your local network of friends and family. If the nearest aviary does not have peacocks, they can likely do a special order or point you in the right direction.

3. 

   Peacocks are considered sacred in some places.

   Locate breeders near you. Consult Craigslist, the yellow pages and your social network. You may be in for a bit of a drive.

Finding Feral Peacocks

1. Visit India. Peacocks are considered sacred here, and have multiplied as a result. Visit other countries, such as Palestine and Greece, to see feral peacocks that are the distant descendents of those brought from India long ago.

2. 

   Scientists are not sure why peacocks developed these feathers.

   Visit California and Florida. Although many other states have feral peafowl populations, these states have the most.

3. Visit Hawaii. Learn about Frances Sinclair, who first introduced the birds on Kauai in 1860. Observe the stable, feral populations that are now established on all the major Hawaiian islands.

Tips & Warnings

• Peacocks are considered nuisances by many due to their habits of destroying foliage, defecating in pools and making loud calls at dawn and dusk. Before you obtain a peacock, consider your neighborhood.

References

• Bird Breeds: Peacock - Information
• BNA Birds Cornell: Common Peafowl
• Bird Snow: Peacock for Sale

Resources

• Thai Indian: Peacock Abandoning Habitat Near Pune