The 7 Secret Sounds Of The Peacock: Uncovering The Infrasound Language Humans Can't Hear

The sound of the peacock is one of the most distinctive and often startling vocalizations in the avian world, a loud, far-reaching cry that has been variously described as a screech, a wail, or a mournful honk. As of December 2025, while the common "crowing" call remains the bird's signature sound, modern bioacoustics research has revealed a far more complex and secret language, including a shocking discovery: a low-frequency sound that is completely inaudible to the human ear. This hidden communication system, known as infrasound, completely changes our understanding of how these magnificent birds communicate, especially during their elaborate courtship rituals.

The Indian Peafowl (*Pavo cristatus*), the most common species, employs a sophisticated repertoire of both audible and mechanical sounds, each serving a specific purpose, from signaling danger to advertising territory. Far from being a simple, loud squawk, the soundscape of the peafowl is a multi-layered system of communication that scientists are only now fully decoding, proving that the bird's famous visual display is complemented by an equally complex acoustic one.

The Unheard Language: Infrasound and the Trembling Train

For centuries, the peacock’s most famous feature has been its spectacular tail, or train, used in a vibrant visual display to attract a mate. However, recent scientific studies have uncovered that this visual spectacle is also an acoustic communication device. Researchers discovered that when a male peacock performs his famous tail-shaking display, he produces a sound too low for humans to hear: infrasound.

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This infrasonic signal is a crucial component of the peacock's courtship. The low-frequency rumble, often below 20 Hertz, is created by the vibration of the male's train feathers and is perceived by both male and female peafowl. The sound is thought to hit the resonant frequency of the peahen's auditory system, a critical factor in mate selection. This mechanical sound offers a silent, long-distance communication channel that bypasses the noisy environment of the jungle or aviary.

The ocelli, or eyespots, on the train feathers are not just for show; they are integral to this acoustic display. The trembling of the train creates a low, rumbling sound that carries through the air and ground, acting as a non-vocal cue. This discovery of peacock infrasound highlights a sophisticated level of peafowl communication previously unknown, suggesting that the peahen is listening for subtle, powerful vibrations as much as she is watching the dazzling visual display.

The Loud and Clear Dictionary: 7 Common Peacock Vocalizations

While the infrasound is a secret language, the peacock's more audible calls are unmistakable and serve vital social and survival functions. Researchers have identified a variety of distinct vocalizations, each with a specific meaning for the flock.

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Here are the seven most common and recognized sounds of the peacock, forming their vocal repertoire:

• 1. The Crowing/Wailing Call (The 'Kekā' or 'Bu-Girk'): This is the most famous and loudest sound, a long, drawn-out, and often mournful cry that can travel for long distances across the forest. Its primary function is a territorial call and a general announcement of the male's presence. In some traditions, this sound is interpreted as 'Kekā', a devotional call.
• 2. The Screaming/Screeching Call: A high-pitched, piercing sound, often a clear sign of distress or a direct alarm call. This sound is used to warn the flock of an immediate predator, such as a leopard or a domestic dog, and prompts an immediate defensive response.
• 3. The Honking Sound: A slightly lower-frequency, nasal sound, sometimes described as a 'bu' noise. This is often used during social interactions within the flock or as a less intense form of a warning signal.
• 4. The Rattling Sound: This is a mechanical sound, distinct from the infrasound, created by the shaking of the tail feathers during the display. It's an audible part of the courtship ritual, signaling the male's readiness to mate.
• 5. The Cawing Sound: Similar to a crow's call, this sound is a general-purpose contact call used by peafowl to keep track of one another, especially when foraging or moving through dense foliage.
• 6. The Squawking Call: Often heard when a peacock is landing in a tree (roosting) or entering a new habitat. It serves as an announcement of arrival and a way to establish their temporary location to others.
• 7. The "Meow" Call: A softer, less aggressive sound, this unique peacock sound is sometimes heard from peahens or younger birds, possibly as a close-range contact or contentment call.

The complexity of these calls demonstrates that peafowl possess a surprisingly rich and context-dependent communication system. Recent research from institutions like Vassar has even explored whether peahens can differentiate between the alarm calls of their own species and those of other animals, suggesting a high level of cognitive ability.

Beyond Biology: Cultural and Scientific Significance

The sound of the Indian Peafowl carries immense cultural weight, particularly in its native India, where it is the national bird. Its voice is not just a biological function but a symbol steeped in mythology and spirituality.

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Spiritual and Symbolic Interpretations

In Hinduism, the peacock is associated with the deity Kartikeya (Murugan), and its calls are often seen as auspicious. The traditional interpretation of the loud, crowing sound is the word "Kekā," which is a contraction of 'Ke' (meaning Krishna) and 'kā' (meaning Srimati Radharani). In this spiritual context, the peacock's call is interpreted as a morning song of devotion, asking, "Where is our beloved Krishna and Radharani?" This cultural significance elevates the peacock's voice beyond mere animal noise, giving it a profound spiritual meaning that enhances its presence in the surrounding environment.

The Role of Acoustics in Survival and Mating

From a scientific standpoint, the study of peacock vocalizations continues to yield fascinating insights. The sheer volume of the main call allows it to travel over the long distances of the jungle, crucial for territory advertisement and defense, especially during the early breeding season. The discovery of infrasound has been pivotal, confirming that the peacock's display is a multimodal signal—a combination of visual flair (the tail), low-frequency vibration (infrasound), and high-frequency noise (the rattling). This combined sensory input ensures maximum impact on the peahen's decision-making process.

Further studies, often conducted in locations like Bardiya National Park in Nepal, track the seasonal and diurnal use of the eight different call types, reinforcing the understanding that the peafowl's communication is highly structured. The peafowl crest, a seemingly small feature, has also been shown to vibrate near resonance in response to the mechanical sounds of the tail shake, suggesting the bird's entire body is tuned to receive these critical acoustic cues.

In conclusion, the simple, loud sound of the peacock is anything but simple. It is a complex blend of audible screams, social contact calls, and a secret, silent language of infrasonic cues that orchestrate their famous mating dances. The peafowl's communication is a masterful symphony of sight and sound, a testament to the sophisticated ways animals interact with their environment and each other.