Birds are beautiful and there are many species of birds around the world; most of them can fly, but there is a great variety of birds that stay on the ground, including peacocks.Flying is a very important aspect of being a bird; however, not not all birds fly use their wings to fly. There are a lot of birds whose ability to fly has changed as a result of evolution.These kinds of birds live in large groups and can often be found in very specific locations.There are a many different people who like to keep peacocks as pets instead of dogs or cats. Peacocks are wonderful, large birds with incredible speed and extraordinarily beautiful feathers that can attract attention from great distances. These peacocks belong to a family of flightless birds, like pheasants. Adopting a pet from the family of pheasants is very similar to adopting an exotic animal. These animals are born flightless and can be found all across the world.There are many different species of peacocks that exist internationally; some of them are called by the name white peafowl. Female peacocks often stay together in packs. These birds have evolved to not fly, so the roosting groups also stay with each other in order to protect their group from danger or predators. It’s a true fact that the most attractive thing about peacocks is their tail feathers; their long tail is indeed something that seems like it comes straight off an artist’s canvas. Male peacocks have an outstanding plumage and, when they roost, often protect the females from wild animals.Peacocks are generally considered calm birds. They are fairly harmless animals that mostly feed on seeds. Nonetheless, some species of flightless birds can be very aggressive, so it is often advised to stay away from them. In the case of peacocks, they are beautiful birds that will often show off their feather trains early in the morning. Their wings are quite large and can flutter to an impressive distance.If you are enjoying this article, why not also read about what do peacocks eat and why do peacocks spread their feathers here on Kidadl?How long can peacocks fly?Their ability to fly is restricted due to many reasons. For example, they can only travel short distances. Peacocks’ flights end with their feathers moving in a way that helps them glide down to the ground.A peacock’s feather plumage, however, is not involved in the flying process. Peacocks are very much able to fly, but the peafowl bird only uses this ability when in danger. Typically, you may notice peacocks flying from tree branch to tree branch in zoos. They spend most of their time on branches and eating insects. Females often stay with males or other females. These are the kind of animals that do the best when they are together, because staying in packs helps them escape their predators. They will only use their flying skills when flying for short distances.So, yes; peacocks can fly. Unlike other ground birds (like ostriches), peacocks can fly under restriction. They will usually fly in between trees like other peahens.Are peacocks not meant to fly?Peacocks are able to fly and their long tail feathers don’t disturb them much. However, peacocks can travel much faster on the ground. Years of foraging for food on the ground has trained their bodies to be able to cover large and spanning distances within a short amount of time.A peacock or a peafowl has a large, heavy body that cannot usually support them in flight. Because of that limitation, they take a flight only when absolutely necessary, or when they need to escape from predators or other threatening animals. You can usually watch a peacock male fly in between trees. Sometimes, they will play with other males on trees and use their feathers while playing. Peacocks do use their feathers to have fun on occasion, and that’s a really interesting fact about this bird.Peacocks will rest on a tree or branch at night, but in the day, they will show off their train of feathers and their blue plumage right behind their wings. Interestingly, their tail feathers do not disturb their ability to fly. They are ground birds. Although they can travel in the air for a short period of time, they will choose to walk or even run away from wild predators. Surprisingly, peacocks are excellent runners. They can often glide down from their flight in the air and start walking, and then run away from danger with great speed. Their long feet are excellent; males will often guard their females during the roost using their feet. Although a peacock is a ground bird and is flightless, it can still cause enough of a distraction when disturbed. Its massive body size can manage to run about 10 mph (16.1 km/h). It can do this with or without wings, because sometimes a peacock’s wings can be clipped. So much of a peacock’s power is accessed when it’s on the ground.Why do peacocks fly so infrequently?Peacocks fly infrequently because they are ground birds; they often get their food and other food-related supplies on the ground itself.There are other reasons for a peacock to fly infrequently. A peacock may not fly or use its tails until it is roosting, in which case it will fly up to nest in trees at night and then jump back to the ground in the morning. Like other members of the peahens family, peacocks mostly spend their time searching for food (like insects) that can easily be collected on the ground. Because of this, there are not many reasons for peacocks to fly frequently.Do peacocks’ tails make it hard to fly?No, peacocks’ tails are not why they cannot fly, and neither is their train of blue feathers. They have simply evolved to stay on the ground like the peahens family. Their tails have nothing to do with it.Peacocks are some of those birds which have evolved to live on the ground. Their tail is not the reason they cannot fly anymore. The true reason may have to do with how much peacocks weigh. Their wings may not be able to support their bodies’ weight alone.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can peacocks fly, then why not take a look at can penguins fly, or Peacock Facts?
Birds are beautiful and there are many species of birds around the world; most of them can fly, but there is a great variety of birds that stay on the ground, including peacocks.
