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Peafowl in Spring, Peacocks Begin Establishing Leks, Incubation Period Begins

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Peafowl in Spring, Peacocks Begin Establishing Leks, Incubation Period Begins may be impressed with the peacock’s beauty, Peahens conceal their nests, a simple scrape Visitor Centers & Recreation Services the true target of all his glamorous excess is lined with grass, in thick vegetation. The eggs ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM his potential mate, the peahen. are laid every other day until a total of up to Fremont 510-796-0199, [email protected] eight is reached, at which point the 28 day Peafowl In spring, peacocks begin establishing leks, incubation period begins. The peachicks are BLACK DIAMOND MINES a group of small adjacent territories, each of “precocial,” meaning they are born with their Antioch 925-757-2620, [email protected] which is the domain of a single male. Inter- eyes open, feathered, and ready to walk soon ested females visit the lek, assessing the vari- COYOTE HILLS REGIONAL PARK after hatching. Peahens are attentive mothers, Fremont 510-795-9385, [email protected] ous males before choosing a mate. In order but the peacock is not involved in raising his to attract mates, the peacock employs his young. The next generation of peahens will be CRAB COVE at CROWN BEACH most striking feature, the breathtaking train ready to reproduce at one or two years of age Alameda 510-521-6887, [email protected] of feathers often referred to as the peacock’s while the males need three years to develop tail. This 4 foot long collection of hundreds SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS a full train of display plumage. Peafowl are Sunol 925-862-2601, [email protected] of feathers is actually made up of the upper hardy birds and may live 20 years or more. tail coverts, a humble grouping of feathers at TILDEN NATURE AREA/EEC the transition between body and tail in most At Ardenwood, the relative calm is suddenly and LITTLE FARM birds. During the breeding season, the pea- filled with excited voices as a glossy peacock Berkeley 510-525-2233, [email protected] cock erects his “train” into a massive lacy fan, struts from the shadows into the sunshine. AQUATICS UNIT supported by the true tail which is dull grey Some want to chase him, or offer some 510-690-6620, [email protected] in color. The peacock’s train features as many food—PLEASE DON’T! Others enjoy the as 175 ocelli, or eyespots, important mark- brilliant fowl from a respectful distance— REGIONAL PARKS BOTANIC GARDEN ings for attracting potential mates. Vibrating PLEASE DO! The peacock seems uncon- c/o Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley 510-841-8732 his fan and wings, the peacock struts and cerned with all the human activity around [email protected], www.nativeplants.org dances, trying to impress as many females as him. It’s as if he considers it his due! possible. OUTDOOR RECREATION UNIT Text: Anthony Fisher Distict-wide programs 510-544-2512 Studies have shown that the peahens choose Cover photo: ©Magdanatka [email protected] males with more ocelli and thus larger trains. juvenile peafowl Additional studies indicate that the pea- This brochure is provided as a public service of cocks with the most ocelli have more robust the Interpretive and Recreation Services Depart- immune systems and are in better health than ment of the East Bay Regional Park District. those with lesser displays. The offspring of these males are heavier at birth and are more EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT likely to survive to their second year. The 2950 Peralta Oaks Ct., P.O. Box 5381 peahen’s preference for the males with the Oakland, CA 94605-0381 most ornate display has driven the evolution 1-888-EBPARKS t C TDD phone 510-633-0460 s on CHLOR D INE E s East Bay Regional Park District S F Po S R um E E of the massive train which the peacock must E C % O 0 e R 100% r now carry. P www.ebparks.org 10 www.ebparks.org 12/07 ©Photobyash magine four large silhouettes suspended of India where it is known as sarang. There fowl fly when pressed by a predator or when in the heights of a walnut tree. Launch- are two other recognized peafowl species: retreating to their evening roost. Their short, ing from their nighttime roost, three ©Mb-fotos Pavo muticus, the Javanese green peafowl of broad wings are suited for an explosive take- Ipeahens glide on short, stiffly down-turned Southeast Asia and , the off followed by a long glide. Peafowl feet fea- Afropavo congensis wings, their feathers ruffling the cool morn- Congo peafowl from central Africa. Peafowl ture three long toes facing forward and one ing air. They descend quickly, dropping into are in the order Galliformes, from the Latin small toe facing back. Spurs on the legs of the a patch of sunlight within the safety of a for “chicken-like,” and the family Phasiani- male serve for defense against preditors and willow thicket. The last bird to plummet dae, the pheasants. Relatives of the peafowl as weapons during territorial disputes. from the treetop is a massive male—a pea- include grouse, quail, turkey, and the red cock trailing his spectacular bustle of shim- jungle fowl, ancestor of all domestic breeds The peacock’s feet have never gained him mering iridescent feathers. He joins his of chickens. much human attention, but the striking harem in the sun. This is truly a bird of the colors and textures of his plumage certainly gods, of pharohs, kings, and yes…farmers. Like other pheasants, peafowl are adapted to do. Three thousand years ago, the Phoeni- a life of walking and foraging on the ground cians imported peafowl to Egypt and Syria. While we have no evidence that the Pat- as they search for the seeds, plants, insects, Merchants and admirers have since spread terson family of Ardenwood Historic Farm and reptiles that make up their diet. Pea- these birds around the globe. While humans kept peafowl, these exotic birds would not ©Sbonk have been out of place. Wealthy Victorians expressed their appreciation for nature with orderly gardens featuring well manicured lawns and exotic plant species from across the globe. The Victorian garden was an adult peacock extension of the parlor, serving as a space for entertaining and another way for the host to convey status to visitors. What better way to “gild your lilies” as it were, than to take a page from the kings and lords of old Europe who, since the 14th century, adorned their grounds with the ultimate living landscape ornament: the peacock. s The species of peafowl seen at Ardenwood is Pavo cristatus, commonly known as the Indian or blue peafowl. Native to the forests of the ©Eric Nichola peafowl with peachicks Indian subcontinent, it is the national bird .
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