There’s a lot we know about peacocks, including the fact they have large, iridescent plumage. But have you ever heard a peacock make a noise and if so, just what are they trying to communicate?
What noises do peacocks make: Peacocks are magnificent-looking birds but they are also extremely loud. You may have heard some noises while at a zoo but this is nothing compared to when there are multiple peacocks and peahens together in the wild. Their high-pitched noises may sound like a baby crying or a cat meowing shrilly. They can also elicit a honking noise, which is also quite loud. Despite their annoyance, peacocks make these noises for a reason. When they enter their habitat, they will give a quick squawk to announce their presence. Peacocks also have a lot of predators so if a larger animal enters their habitat, one bird will give the alarm, which is then echoed by others. Once the alarm is sounded, the birds will take flight into nearby trees for better protection. Finally, peacocks are the noisiest during their mating season, which runs from early spring to late summer. Peacocks will puff out their plumage and make a series of honking and screaming noises. Peahens then echo this noise. While zoos can minimize the noise level a bit by limiting the number of peafowls that congregate, and even separating peacocks and peahens during mating season, wild peafowl are incredibly noisy.
What does a peacock sound like?
It can be quite comical to have people describe what a peacock sounds like. Some will describe it as a cat meowing while others will liken it to a baby crying.
All who have heard peacock noises can agree that they are loud. It’s one thing to visit a busy zoo and hear the noise in the background, but a completely different experience if you happen to live near peacocks.
While most peacocks in North America live in zoos or animal sanctuaries, there are some who live in suburban neighborhoods. There are even a few who live on farms.
All across Canada and the United States, you can find random pockets of peacocks. They have most likely escaped a zoo or are descendants of exotic pets released from their captivity to fend for themselves.
While exciting at first to find out you have a group of peacocks and peahens living near you, the noise can quickly become overwhelming. In fact, there is now a push to capture wild peacocks and transfer them to a more contained area, away from the sleepy ears of humans.
If you are interested in hearing exactly what a peacock sounds like, check out this video:
What is a peacock sound called?
There are many different sounds that peacocks make and all have different names. Honking is the most common and they also make a screaming sound.
What Sounds and Noises Do Peacocks Make?
There are many sounds and noises that peacocks make and they are all voiced for different reasons.
Saying hello
Peacocks will often make a screeching sound when they enter a new area. It’s their way of saying, “hello.”
The point of this is to make themselves known, especially as peacocks have a lot of predators. By announcing themselves, they are telling other peacocks and peahens that they are safe and there is no need to worry about anything.
Usually, these introductions are not too loud and don’t last for very long. It is the most common sound you will hear if you visit a zoo with peafowl.
Danger
Peafowl has a lot of predators and so they always need to be on the lookout. One of the reasons peafowl live in small packs is for protection against larger animals.
If a peafowl sees something dangerous enter their habitat, they will make a high-pitch screaming sound. Some may describe this as a cross between a baby crying and a cat meowing.
For those that have been around either a baby or a cat, you will know that their sounds are very effective in getting your attention. Likewise, a shrill noise will quickly have all the peafowl scattering, most likely taking refuge in nearby trees.
Interestingly, some farmers like to have peafowl on their property. They are much better at recognizing danger and can alert other animals, particularly chickens, of an impending threat.
Mating
The mating season for peafowl is from early spring to late summer, which is quite a while. During this time, you will hear a lot of honking and a lot of screaming, from both peacocks and peahens.
Mating with animals is all about showing off and attracting the most attention. Screaming and honking will most definitely achieve this goal.
Another noise that peacocks make during their mating season is a sort of train rattle. They will fluff out their giant tails and vibrate the feathers.
While this sound isn’t very easy to hear for humans, peahens can hear it and respond to it.
Are peahens as loud as peacocks?
Peahens, the female equivalent to peacocks, are also loud birds. While perhaps not as loud as peacocks, they are still able to produce high-pitched noises.
Peahens will scream to alert other birds of predators and during their mating season, they will honk in response to a peacock’s display.
How Do You Stop a Peacock From Making Noise?
Unfortunately, peacocks are wild animals and it is not possible to change their behaviors. There are a few things that can limit their noise, however.
First, the more peacocks and peahens there are in a group, the louder they will be. These birds will continuously make noise, feeding off each other.
Secondly, peacocks and peahens are a bit quieter in the fall and winter when it is not mating season. In zoos, peacocks and peahens may be separated during the mating season if they are not there for breeding purposes.
Conclusion
Male peacocks and female peahens make a lot of noise. They scream when introducing themselves and screech and honk during mating season. There is not much to be done to control these wild animals.
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