A peacock is a large, colorful bird famous for its spectacular tail feathers. Male peacocks display their tail feathers in a dramatic fan shape, showing off brilliant blues, greens, and eye-like patterns to attract female peahens. When a peacock struts around with its tail spread wide, it creates one of nature's most dazzling sights.

Peacocks are native to India and other parts of Asia, and they've been admired for thousands of years. Ancient kings and emperors kept peacocks in their gardens as living symbols of beauty and majesty. Today you might see peacocks at zoos or farms, where they roam freely and sometimes surprise visitors with their loud, distinctive calls.

The word has also become a verb meaning to show off in a vain or proud way. When someone peacocks around the classroom bragging about their accomplishments, they're acting like the bird displays its feathers: wanting everyone to notice how impressive they are.

Technically, only males are called peacocks, while females are peahens, and both together are peafowl. But most people use “peacock” to refer to the whole species.