Peacocks are known for their beautiful and vibrant plumage. The male peacock, also known as a peacock, has extravagant tail feathers called trains that they can spread out to attract females during courtship displays. Peacocks come in a variety of different colors, ranging from vibrant blues, greens and purples to more muted browns and tans. But what is the rarest and most elusive peacock color? Keep reading to find out!
An Overview of Peacock Colors
The most common peacock colors are:
- Royal Blue – This vibrant blue is the most iconic and recognizable peacock color. The feathers have an iridescent sheen.
- Emerald Green – Ranging from jewel tones to minty hues. Green peacocks have a distinctive green sheen.
- Turquoise – A light blue-green tone. Turquoise peacocks have a mix of blue and green iridescence.
- Purple – Rich violet and indigo shades. Purple peacocks have a unique royal purple sheen.
- Teal – A striking blue-green color. Teal peacocks have an elegant combination of blue and green iridescence.
- Bronze – Metallic brownish and tan tones. Bronze peacocks lack the vibrant iridescence of other colors.
These are considered the common peacock colors and are most frequently seen in the wild and captivity. But there are some exceptionally rare color mutations that occur from time to time.
The Rarest Peacock Colors
White Peacocks
White peacocks are perhaps the rarest color mutation. They have all white plumage and lack the pigmentation seen in typical peacock feathers. White peacocks technically have a genetic condition called leucism, which causes the lack of pigment. Only 1 in every 10,000 peacocks born will be white. Even more rare are peacocks that display “partial leucism”, meaning they have patches of white feathers mixed with normal coloration. White peacock feathers are not iridescent like the other color types. And their trains are a muted white instead of the usual vibrant hues. The striking and angelic appearance of white peacocks has made them highly desirable for zoos, private collections and breeders. But their rarity means they command extremely high prices.
Yellow Gold Peacocks
Yellow gold peacocks have vibrant metallic golden feathers unlike anything seen in a typical peacock. They seem to shine and glisten as if their plumage was dipped in gold. This exceptionally unique color is produced by a rare genetic mutation that causes the feathers to lack the typical blue and green melanin pigments and exhibit a dazzling yellow or gold color instead. Yellow gold peacocks are one of the rarest natural color mutations, estimated to occur only in 1 in 150,000 peacocks. Their brilliant golden trains make them a prize possession for collectors able to pay upwards of $10,000 for a single bird.
Albino Peacocks
True albino peacocks have a complete lack of melanin pigment. This makes their plumage completely white and their eyes reddish-pink. Albino peacock feathers do not have the usual iridescent sheen seen in other colors. Their bright red eyes and snow white feathers make albino peacocks eerily distinctive. They are exceptionally rare, even more so than white peacocks with leucism. Some estimates suggest only 1 in 500,000 peacocks may be born albino. Their inability to produce melanin makes them prone to injury, infection and vision problems. Albino peacocks rarely survive long in the wild. But collectors and zoos will pay huge sums to own one of these exotic birds.
Black Shoulder Peacocks
Black shoulder peacocks have typical blue or green plumage except for striking black feathers on their wing shoulders. The black shoulder feathers provide a bold contrast against the vibrant iridescent colors of the rest of the plumage. This rare mutation originated in India and is believed to occur in less than 1% of wild peacock populations. Black shoulder peacocks fetch high prices from collectors, especially in India where they are considered sacred birds. The black shoulders are thought to resemble the appearance of the Hindu god Krishna.
Chocolate Peacocks
Chocolate peacocks have rich reddish-brown plumage that resembles the color of milk chocolate. Their feathers lack the typical peacock iridescence and have a uniquely matte chocolate brown appearance. This rare mutation reduces melanin pigments to create the chocolate brown coloring. Chocolate peacocks are highly sought after for their novelty and standout appearance compared to normal peacocks. Even small zoos or private collectors may pay over $5000 for a single chocolate peacock.
Pied Peacocks
Pied peacocks have plumage with large patches of color interspersed with white. The term “pied” refers to birds that are spotted or piebald. Pied peacocks may have patches of blue, green, brown or other colors combined with white. Each bird has a unique piebald pattern. Pied mutations are uncommon in peacocks and no two pied peacocks look exactly the same. The random patchwork pattern and rarity of pied peafowl make them highly desirable to collectors and breeders.
Why Rare Peacock Colors Are Prized
These extraordinarily rare peacock color mutations are prized for several key reasons:
- Novelty – The colors are incredibly unique from typical peacocks.
- Rarity – Their extreme rarity drives demand from collectors.
- Beauty – The unusual colors have a stunning visual appeal.
- Status Symbol – Owning a rare peacock represents prestige.
- Breeding – Rare peacocks can be bred to produce high value offspring.
- Research – Scientists study rare mutations to understand genetics.
Price for Rare Peacock Colors
The prices for these rare peacock color mutations vary, but they typically sell for:
- White Peacocks – $1,000 to $5,000+
- Yellow Gold Peacocks – $10,000+
- Albino Peacocks – $30,000+
- Black Shoulder Peacocks – $1,000 to $5,000+
- Chocolate Peacocks – $5,000+
- Pied Peacocks – $1,000 to $5,000+
Prices can go even higher for exceptional specimens or breeder pairs capable of producing more rare offspring. The astronomical prices reflect the extreme desirability and scarcity of these special peacock color variants.
Conclusion
While most peacocks sport the usual vibrant royal blue, emerald green, turquoise, purple, teal and bronze plumage colors, extraordinarily rare color mutations do occasionally occur. White, yellow gold, albino, black shoulder, chocolate, and pied peacocks rank among the rarest peacock color variants. Their exotic appeal comes from novelty, beauty, prestige and scarcity. Prices for rare peacock colors can easily surpass $10,000 and sometimes demand six figure sums from dedicated collectors. So while common blue, green and purple hued peacocks may be a dime a dozen, these special rare peacock colors stand in a league of their own when it comes to desirability and value in the bird world.