There is a great misconception concerning the naming of the peafowl species. Most people call both male and female peacocks, but the correct term for them is peafowl. Only the male is actually a peacock, the female is a peahen, and the young are peachicks

Peafowl belong to the same family of birds as pheasants and chickens, which is phasianidae. There are three types of peafowl, the Indian Peacock, the Green Peacock, and the Congo Peacock.

The peacock and the peahen vary greatly. When the species is thought of, the male always comes to mind. The males have long feathers which they spread, or fan out to attract the females.  These feathers are beautifully colored. The color differs between different breeds and individuals, however the feathers are usually iridescent. Most of these feathers have circles of color near the top, and are often called "eye" feathers. In the center is usually a deep blue color, known as peacock blue. The body is also colored, depending on the species. Peahens are less brightly colored, and lack the tail coverts, although some Green hens develop tail spurs. They do, however, occasionally spread their real tail feathers. Both males and females have crests or "crowns" on their heads, although the males' are brighter.

A male is fully mature at three years old. However, all peafowl may begin to mate at two years. Usually at least one mature bird is needed to produce fertile eggs. Breeding takes place during spring or early summer. Throughout this time the peacock spreads and vibrates his "tail" and makes a loud mating call.

The peahen usually lays between 6 to 12 eggs, although this varies between birds. The eggs hatch after 28 days

Peachicks are born fully feathered and can fly within a week or two. Since peacocks roost in trees if possible, they must learn this to survive and stay with their mother. They must be taught to eat, which the peahen teaches them through a variety of sounds.

Indian Peafowl have become common in most parts of the world because of domestication. They are found in the wild in India, where it is the national bird, and the surrounding areas. The Congo peacock is found in Africa. Wild and free roaming peafowl have an omnivorous diet of worms, insects, small snakes, mice, seeds, berries, snails, frogs, grain, juicy grasses and bulbs. They need significant amounts of protein to be healthy and reproduce well.