What is the function of the peacock's tail

I believe that many people's biggest impression of peacocks is their beauty when they spread their tails. Indeed, the charm displayed by the peacock when it spreads its tail is the most attractive and irresistible to us. In fact, its tail has many functions, such as balancing and controlling flight. When the tail is spread, it is also a tool for showing off to compete for female peacocks.

1. Introduction

1. There are 2 genera and 3 species of peacocks. Among them, there are two species of peacocks, with a total length of more than 2 meters, including a tail screen of about 1.5 meters, making them the largest in the Galliformes. The top of the head is emerald green, the crest is blue-green and pointed; the upper tail coverts are particularly long, forming a tail screen, which is bright and beautiful; the real tail feathers are very short and black-brown. The female bird has no tail screen and its feathers are dark brown with many spots. The artificially bred albino species is called the white peacock, and its whole body is snow-white. There is one species of Congo peafowl, which is 70 cm long. The male is black with white tufts on the head, while the female is green and brown. The male bird has an upright occipital crest, gorgeous plumage, and the upper tail coverts are particularly extended, far exceeding the tail feathers. It has 20 tail feathers, which are long and slightly convex; the undertail coverts are downy; the wings are slightly rounded, the first primary flight feather is shorter than the tenth, and the fifth is slightly longest; the tarsus is long and strong, much longer than the middle toe with claw, and the male has a spur.

2. The tail screen is mainly composed of the coverts above the tail. These coverts are extremely long, with iridescent eye circles at the tips, surrounded by blue and bronze. During courtship displays, the male peacock raises the tail under the tail screen. This causes the tail to be raised upright and pointed forward, and when the courtship display reaches its climax, the tail feathers vibrate, flash and glow, and make a rattling sound. It's not very good at flying because it's a bit heavy and its wings aren't that strong.

2. The peacock's tail has the following functions:

1.The peacock's tail feathers can help maintain balance and control flight.

2. The male peacock's tail feathers are also their tool for showing off. During the breeding season, male peacocks will compete to display their tail feathers and compete for female peacocks. One theory is that peacocks prefer peacocks with more eye-markings on their tail feathers.

3. Male peacocks will also spread their tail feathers when they encounter danger, because the eye-like patterns on the tail can confuse and deter natural enemies, and they will constantly shake their tails, making a rustling sound.