White Peacock Guide

Rightly called the king of birds, White Peacocks are native to India and Sri Lanka. These beautiful creatures have been mentioned in ancient texts and mythology, signifying their regal status. White peacocks are a subspecies of Indian blue peacocks and are larger in size. They have longer tails and their plumage is entirely white with no hint of blue.

What is a white peacock?

There are many mutations in the color of the Peacock’s plumage. Some of the mutations were found in the wild while some have been purposely bred by man. The white peacock is one such mutation that has lovely, all-white plumage.

The white peacock is a variant of the Indian Blue peafowl. The Indian blue peafowl is the national bird of India and is considered sacred by Hindus. It is also the state bird of Kerala in India. The white peacock is not albino because it still has normal black eyes.

White peafowls are not albino. They have normal black eyes.

The white peacock is a beautiful bird that has been revered throughout history. These majestic creatures have all-white plumage and are larger in size than their blue counterparts.

The Origin of White Peacock

There is no recorded mention of when white peacocks were first sighted but some records indicate that they may have gotten popular in the late 1800s.

The Indian blue peafowl was introduced to America in the early 1800s and was soon bred in captivity. Since then, many mutations have been found in the captive birds.

The first recorded mention of the white peacock is from an English zoo owner, W.B. Tegetmeier. In his book, Poultry: Their Varieties, Management, and Diseases, he wrote about a white peacock that was exhibited in England in 1886.

However, it is possible that the white peacock existed even before that because there are many old paintings and drawings of all-white peacocks. It is likely that these were white peacocks and not albino peafowls.

Quick Facts about White Peacocks

• Breed name: Pavo Cristatus
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Galliformes
• Family: Phasianidae
• Subfamily: Phasianinae
• Place of Origin: India
• Size: 39–45 inches for male and 37–40 inches for females
• Lifespan: 10–25 years in captivity
• Weight: Male: 6.5-9 kg, female: 4-5 kg
• Color: Plumage is entirely white with no hint of blue
• Eyesight: Poor eyesight but can see clearly for about 100 yards
• Diet: Grains, insects, fruits, seeds
• Habitat: Dense forests with plenty of trees and shrubs
• Predators: Hawks, eagles, snakes
• Sounds: Male peacocks make a loud noise that sounds like “may-awe” while females make a softer sound called “tuk-tuk-tuk”

Below is a quick 1-min video showing a gorgeous white peacock opening its feathers

Characteristics of White Peacock

As mentioned before, the white peacock is a variant of the Indian blue peafowl. It is larger in size and has longer tail feathers. The plumage of the white peacock is pure white with no hint of blue. The eyes are black and there is a bare patch of skin around them that is usually blue or green.

The male white peacock is called a “cock” while the female is called a “hen”. The chicks are called “chickens”. A group of peafowl is called a “party” or a “poultry”.

The average lifespan of a white peacock is 10 to 25 years in captivity. In the wild, their lifespan is shorter because of predators and diseases.

The typical weight of a male white peacock is 6.5 to 9 kg while the female weighs 4 to 5 kg.

The wingspan of a white peacock is about 4 feet.

The white peacock is a forest bird and is found in dense forests with plenty of trees and shrubs. They prefer areas where there is plenty of cover from predators.

The diet of a white peacock consists of grains, insects, fruits, and seeds.

What are the origins of White Peacocks?

White peacocks are native to India and Sri Lanka. British colonized India in the 18th century and introduced Indian blue peafowl to Europe and North America.

Why Keep a white Peacock:

They are beautiful pets:

One of the reasons why people keep white peacocks is because of their beauty. They have all-white plumage and look very elegant. They are also quite large in size which makes them even more impressive.

They are interesting to watch:

Peacocks are interesting birds to watch. They are very active and love to preen their feathers. They also have a loud call that can be quite amusing to listen to.

They are good for pest control:

Peacocks are very good at controlling pests such as snakes, rats, and mice. This is because they are natural predators of these animals. If you have a problem with pests on your property, then keeping a peacock may be a good solution.

They are easy to care for:

Peacocks are relatively easy to care for. They do not require a lot of space and can live on a diet of grains, insects, and fruits.

Types of White Peacocks:

Pied white:

The pied white peacock is the most common type of white peacock. It has a white body with black patches on its wings and tail.

Black shoulder pied:

The black shoulder pied peacock has a white body with black patches on its wings, tail, and shoulders.

Recessive pied:

The recessive pied peacock is the rarest type of white peacock. It has a white body with no black markings.

 Pure-white peacocks:

The pure-white peacock is the most rare and expensive type of white peacock. It has an all-white body with no black markings.

Role of Leucism in White peacock pigmentation:

Leucism is a condition that causes animals to have white or pale-colored fur, feathers, or skin. It is caused by a mutation in the genes that produce pigment. Leucism is different from albinism because it does not affect the eyes.

Some breeders believe that leucism is responsible for the all-white plumage of the white peacock. However, this has not been proven.

Population and distribution of white peacocks around the world:

There is no accurate estimate of the number of white peacocks in the world. They are found in zoos, aviaries, and private collections.

According to Wikipedia, there are 100,000 Indian Blue peafowl around the world.

White Peacock vs albino peacock:

Albino peacocks are very rare and are not true albinos. They have white feathers and pink eyes. They are a result of a genetic mutation. White peacocks, on the other hand, are not albinos and have black eyes.

Are White Peacocks endangered?

No, white peacocks are not endangered. They are actually quite common in India and Sri Lanka where they are native to. According to Birdlife.org, White peacock is not endangered and is listed in the category of animals with least concern in terms of endangerment from their habitat.

What do White Peacock Eggs look like?

White peacock eggs are brown or cream-colored with dark spots. they are about the same size as chicken eggs.

Read our guide on peacock eggs here.

How much do White Peacocks cost?

The price of a white peacock depends on its type and age. Pied white peacocks are the most common and cost around $100. Pure-white peacocks are the most rare and can cost up to $1000.

Are White Peacocks good as pets?

Some people keep white peacocks as pets. They can be good pets if you have the space for them and can provide them with a good diet. They are also quite docile and can be easy to handle.

Why white peacocks are not great as farm animals:

• Do not have good meat: White peacocks are not good for meat because they are too lean. The meat is also tough and has a strong flavor.
• Too loud: White peacocks are very loud birds. They make a loud call that can be quite annoying.
• They need a lot of space: White peacocks need a lot of space to roam. They cannot be kept in a small enclosure.
• Eggs: They only lay around 3-5 eggs per clutch. This is not enough to make them viable as farm animals.

FAQs

What do white peacocks eat?

White peacocks eat a variety of things including insects, grains, and fruits. They also eat small reptiles and mammals.

How long do white peacocks live?

White peacocks can live up to 25 years.

What is the difference between a male and female white peacock?

The biggest difference between male and female white peacocks is their size. Male white peacocks are larger than females. They also have longer tails and more colorful plumage.

The male white peacock also has a call that is much louder than the female’s.

Do white peacocks mate for life?

No, white peacocks do not mate for life. They will often mate with multiple partners during their lifetime. Read more here.

What is the white peacock’s natural habitat?

The white peacock is native to India and Sri Lanka. They can also be found in zoos and aviaries around the world.

What is the conservation status of the white peacock?

The white peacock is not endangered and is actually quite common in its native range.

How do white peacocks defend themselves?

White peacocks use their powerful legs to kick predators. They also have sharp claws that they can use to defend themselves.

What animals prey on white peacocks?

Some of the animals that prey on white peacocks are snakes, hawks, and cats.

What do baby white peacocks look like?

Baby white peacocks look like miniature versions of their adult counterparts. They have white feathers and black eyes.

As they get older, they will start to develop the characteristic blue plumage of adult white peacocks.

Where can I buy a White Peacock?

There are many places where you can buy white peacocks. Pet stores, poultry farms, and online retailers all sell white peacocks.

Sources/references:

• Wikipedia page on Leucism
• PEAFOWLS SPECIES AND THEIR MUTATIONS
• Peafowl Production
• Birdlife
• Indian Peafowl population
• Petkeen