Why are peacock feathers so big?
For grown-ups: the science
Male peacocks show their pretty feathers to females to find a mate.
The large, showy “tail” of a peacock is actually made of decorative feathers called upper tail coverts, which grow over the real tail. These feathers grow mostly on males. During courtship, males spread and shake them to show their eye-like patterns and sounds. Scientists think that female choice has helped these showy feathers evolve. Big decorative feathers can make flying harder and take work to keep healthy. So calling them a sign of being “healthy and strong” is a simple way to say that females may judge whether a male can keep such grand feathers despite the cost.
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Transcript
A peacock is showing his wide fan of feathers to another peacock. What is he doing?
The big fan is a male peacock's tail feathers. He shows their pretty patterns so females will notice him.
When he opens all his feathers, rows of eye-like patterns appear. They are a sign that he is a healthy, strong male.
Female peacocks look closely at the colors, patterns, and movements as they choose a mate. That is why male peacocks' tail feathers grew so big.
A peacock's big feathers help him get noticed by a mate.