The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is globally recognized for the male’s extraordinary visual display of iridescent train feathers. While the peacock’s plumage is a spectacle, its vocalizations are equally remarkable and often surprising. The sounds produced by this bird are powerful and varied, serving as a primary form of communication across its native habitats.
The Signature Call: Describing the Sound
The most recognizable peafowl sound is a loud, penetrating vocalization produced by the male, often described as a harsh, high-pitched scream or caterwaul. This primary call is frequently transliterated as a drawn-out “may-awe” or “pia-ow.” It possesses a nasal, metallic quality and immense volume, allowing it to carry over long distances, sometimes heard up to a mile away.
Scientists have identified variations of this loud call, sometimes referring to the trumpet-like honk as a “bu-girk.” This sound is the peafowl’s main broadcast communication, ensuring its presence is known across a wide territory. Its abrasive nature is a function of its purpose, designed for sheer audibility in dense environments.
Why Peacocks Call: Function and Context
The peacock’s loud vocalizations serve several behavioral functions related to survival and reproduction. Males utilize the piercing call to advertise their presence and assert dominance, especially during the breeding season. The volume and frequency of the call signal the male’s physical fitness, which influences a peahen’s choice of mate.
The calls also play a significant role in establishing territorial boundaries. Males sometimes engage in relay calling to communicate with competitors out of sight. Beyond courtship and territory, peafowl use a range of up to six distinct alarm calls to warn others of potential danger. Calling increases significantly during the dawn and dusk hours, and throughout the breeding season, reflecting periods of high activity.
Beyond the Scream: Other Peafowl Sounds
The peafowl’s acoustic communication extends beyond the loud scream, including softer vocalizations and mechanical sounds. Peahens (females) also vocalize, using a softer, nasal calling to communicate with other females or their young. They may also produce a gentle cooing sound to show interest in a male during courtship.
A non-vocal component of the male’s display is the mechanical sound produced by the vibration of his train feathers. When a peacock quivers his upright train, it creates an audible rustling or rattling sound. This movement also generates low-frequency pressure waves classified as infrasound, operating below the human hearing range, typically less than 20 hertz. This infrasonic signal travels effectively through dense vegetation and over long distances, reinforcing the male’s visual display for both potential mates and competitors.