Peacocks

by Ruth Berman

Introduces the various types of peacocks and peahens, describes their life cycles and behavior, and discusses the dangers they face.

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ISBN: 0-8225-3009-0 (Juvenile lit.) ©1996
About 40pp

This is the third book I've read on peafowl, and it's probably the best; I assume because it's written for a little older crowd (the others were for the very young--probably kindergarten through first grade). This book deals specifically with the peafowl from India, which, according to the book, are the most common and the ones found mostly at zoos. Pages 44-45 are geared to the parent and give ideas on how to make reading "fashionable" to your kid(s) and also make it a fun pastime for you both. At first I thought "oh, brother--here 'they' go again, telling parents what to do, how to parent, etc." And then I thought "wait! Too many babies are having babies (and plenty of adults, too, who ACT as if they're babies), so very few parents these days actually have a clue ABOUT parenting, so maybe it's not such a bad idea, giving ideas, etc." The two pages also talk about how to review the book with your child to make sure he's getting the full context and understanding of all read. And then there's a metric table to help you convert metrics into our numerical formats for weights,distances, etc. And finally, a short paragraph on activities to bring what was read, to life.

As to the book, itself: I'd read most of the information in the other books, but this identified the name of eggs in a nest (the "clutch") and that peahens are ready to become mothers at one year while peacocks are usually three before during. The fowl are polygamous, with one male and a gaggle of hens (the "harem"). A hen can have several clutches over one year, but the first clutch contains the most eggs.

The book also dealt with the three layers of feathers (flight, contour, and down) and how the train feathers (the beautiful tail) stays up and why cocks strut. It also detailed the bathing procedure ("preening") and that, because the fowl have an oily layer under their feathers, they use the oil to keep water off them and to keep feathers clean.

There was a lot more covered in this book: that they're prey and what hunts them, why males fight and how, what they eat and how, their internal organs, etc.

Grade: A+ (great pictures, too)

Photography credit: Richard R. Hewett

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember when I said I was done reviewing all the bird books Sean and I borrowed from the library? I was wrong. I found a few more while going through my reading notes. I can't believe I forgot our favorite book from the the set: Peacocks by Ruth Berman.

In 48 pages Peacocks covers the habitat, breeding cycle, life cycle, diet and history of this beautiful bird. It teaches all the different terms for the species (collectively called peafowl). Peacocks are obviously the males; peahens are the females; peachicks are the offspring. Peacocks are members of the pheasant family and spend most of their time in trees.

Sean and I enjoyed this book so much because peafowl are such a feature at most zoos and gardens the birds are never really explained. They just are. This book helped fill in the blanks.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I looked EVERYWHERE for a general about peacocks book or pamphlet & could not find one & then I remembered a friend of mine telling me, always check in the children's section & was she right! Every basic question I had was answered. The written part is helpful & thorough, the photos are well matched with the text & beautiful in their own right. That it is written in a style that could be useful in a classroom, with vocabulary words, etc. just makes me wish I could give it more stars.