The word “peacock” conjures images of vibrant birds with extravagant tail feathers. But what happens when you want to talk about more than one? Should you say peacocks, peafowl, or something else? Understanding the correct plural forms of animal names like “peacock” is essential for clear written and spoken English, whether you’re a student, teacher, writer, or English learner.
Animal plurals—and their collective nouns—are a common source of confusion. English has regular pluralization rules, but also many exceptions, collective terms, and scientific distinctions.
The word “peacock” is especially interesting because of its gender-specific meaning and its relation to the word “peafowl.”
This article is a comprehensive guide to the plural of “peacock.” We will cover grammar rules, usage, common mistakes, collective nouns, and provide dozens of examples and practice exercises. Whether you are an English learner, educator, or writer, this resource will help you master this topic and avoid common errors.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What Is a “Peacock”?
A peacock is the common name for the male of the peafowl species, known for its colorful plumage and extravagant tail feathers. The term “peacock” is often used colloquially for both males and females, but technically, the female is called a peahen, and the youngsters are called peachicks.
Etymology: The word “peacock” comes from Middle English, combining “pea” (shortened from “peafowl”) and “cock” (meaning male bird). The species is native to South Asia but is now found in many parts of the world.
3.2. Grammatical Classification
- Countable noun: You can have one peacock, two peacocks, etc.
- Concrete noun: Refers to a tangible, physical entity (the bird itself).
- Common noun: Refers to a general class of birds, not a specific one.
Singular noun refers to a single individual (e.g., “a peacock”). Plural noun refers to more than one (e.g., “three peacocks”).
3.3. Plural Noun Formation: General Principles
Most English nouns form their plural by adding -s or -es (e.g., cat → cats, fox → foxes). However, some nouns have irregular plurals (e.g., goose → geese). “Peacock” follows the regular plural rule—just add -s to make peacocks.
3.4. Function and Usage Contexts
“Peacock” can function as a subject (“The peacock strutted”), object (“I saw a peacock”), or complement. The plural—”peacocks”—is used whenever referring to more than one.
This is important in conversation, description, scientific writing, and storytelling.
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Regular Plural Formation
To make “peacock” plural, simply add -s:
- Singular: peacock
- Plural: peacocks
This is the same rule used for most animal nouns in English.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| cat | cats |
| dog | dogs |
| peacock | peacocks |
| duck | ducks |
| lion | lions |
4.2. Spelling and Pronunciation
Spelling: “peacock” becomes “peacocks” (no change to the root word, just add “s”).
Pronunciation:
- Singular: /ˈpiː.kɒk/
- Plural: /ˈpiː.kɒks/
| Form | Phonetic Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| peacock | /ˈpiː.kɒk/ | PEE-kok |
| peacocks | /ˈpiː.kɒks/ | PEE-koks |
4.3. The Word “Peafowl” and Its Plural
“Peafowl” is the species name, referring collectively to all birds of this type (males, females, and young). “Peafowl” is often used as an uncountable or collective noun, like “deer” or “sheep”: one peafowl, many peafowl (no “s”).
- Singular: peafowl
- Plural: peafowl (preferred in scientific usage)
“Peafowls” is rare and generally considered incorrect in standard English.
4.4. Collective Nouns for Peacocks
A collective noun is a word used to describe a group of individuals. For peacocks, the most recognized collective nouns are:
- Muster of peacocks
- Ostentation of peacocks
Other birds have their own collective nouns (e.g., a “gaggle” of geese, a “murder” of crows).
| Animal | Collective Noun |
|---|---|
| peacock | ostentation, muster |
| goose | gaggle |
| crow | murder |
| owl | parliament |
| swan | bevy |
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Gender-Specific Terms
- Peacock: male bird (plural: peacocks)
- Peahen: female bird (plural: peahens)
- Peachick: young bird (plural: peachicks)
| Type | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Male | peacock | peacocks |
| Female | peahen | peahens |
| Young | peachick | peachicks |
5.2. Collective and Group Terms
Use collective nouns when describing a group as a single entity (An ostentation of peacocks). Use the regular plural for specific counts or general groups (three peacocks).
Examples:
- An ostentation of peacocks crossed the road.
- We saw several peacocks in the garden.
5.3. Scientific and Common Usage
In scientific contexts, “peafowl” is preferred for the species as a whole. In everyday speech, “peacock” is often used for any peafowl, especially the colorful male.
- Scientific: “Peafowl are native to South Asia.”
- Common: “Peacocks are beautiful birds.”
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Plural Sentences
- Three peacocks strutted across the lawn.
- The zoo has several peacocks in its aviary.
- Peacocks are known for their colorful feathers.
- We watched two peacocks display their tails.
- Many peacocks roamed the palace gardens.
- Children enjoy watching peacocks at the park.
- Peacocks often call loudly at dawn.
- Farmers sometimes keep peacocks for pest control.
- Peacocks and peahens live together in groups.
- The peacocks’ feathers shimmered in the sunlight.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| The peacock is displaying its tail. | The peacocks are displaying their tails. |
| I saw a peacock at the zoo. | I saw three peacocks at the zoo. |
| A peacock calls at dawn. | Peacocks call at dawn. |
| This peacock is very colorful. | These peacocks are very colorful. |
| A peacock danced in the garden. | Several peacocks danced in the garden. |
6.2. Comparative Examples: Peacock vs. Peafowl
- Peacocks have brilliant blue and green plumage.
- Peafowl are native to India and Sri Lanka.
- We saw two peacocks and a peahen.
- The peafowl is a large, ground-dwelling bird.
- Many peafowl can be found in the sanctuary.
- Only male peafowl are called peacocks.
- The peafowl’s diet consists of seeds and insects.
- Peacocks often spread their tail feathers during courtship.
- There are several species of peafowl.
- Peafowl are admired for their beauty worldwide.
| “Peacocks” Example | “Peafowl” Example |
|---|---|
| Peacocks are famous for their tail feathers. | Peafowl are native to South Asia. |
| We saw several peacocks in the zoo. | Many peafowl live in this reserve. |
| The peacocks displayed their tails. | The peafowl foraged for food. |
| Peacocks can be very loud. | Peafowl are ground-dwelling birds. |
| Children love watching peacocks. | Peafowl are admired for their beauty. |
6.3. Gender-Specific Plural Examples
- Five peacocks strutted around the pond.
- The peahens gathered in the shade.
- Several peachicks followed their mother.
- Peacocks and peahens sometimes mate for life.
- The zoo welcomed three new peachicks this spring.
- The peacocks displayed their colorful tails to attract the peahens.
- Peahens are less colorful than peacocks.
- The peachicks hatched last week.
- Peacocks and peahens live together in a group.
- All the peachicks survived their first month.
| Gender | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Male (peacock) | The peacock is beautiful. | The peacocks are beautiful. |
| Female (peahen) | The peahen is nesting. | The peahens are nesting. |
| Young (peachick) | The peachick is small. | The peachicks are small. |
6.4. Collective Noun Examples
- An ostentation of peacocks strutted across the courtyard.
- A muster of peacocks gathered by the river.
- The ostentation of peacocks dazzled the tourists.
- We saw a muster of peacocks at dawn.
- The garden is home to an ostentation of peacocks.
| Collective Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| ostentation | An ostentation of peacocks paraded through the garden. |
| muster | A muster of peacocks gathered near the lake. |
6.5. Contextual Usage Examples
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Storytelling | As the sun rose, the peacocks began to dance under the banyan tree. |
| Scientific Writing | Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) are known for their elaborate mating displays; only male peafowl, called peacocks, possess the ornate train. |
| Casual Speech | We saw so many peacocks at the park yesterday! |
| Descriptive | The peacocks’ feathers shimmered in the late afternoon light. |
| Informative | Peacocks are the national bird of India. |
7. Usage Rules
7.1. Standard Pluralization Rule
Rule: To form the plural, add -s to the end of “peacock”: peacock → peacocks.
- One peacock, two peacocks.
- The peacocks are displaying their feathers.
7.2. When to Use “Peacocks” vs. “Peafowl”
- Use peacocks when referring specifically to male birds or in general speech.
- Use peafowl for the species as a whole or in scientific contexts.
Example: Peafowl are native to India. Peacocks are admired for their tails.
7.3. Using Collective Nouns
- Use ostentation or muster when describing a group as a unit.
- Use peacocks for counting or listing.
Example: An ostentation of peacocks strutted by. Five peacocks wandered the field.
7.4. Subject-Verb Agreement
Use a plural verb with “peacocks” and a singular verb with “peacock”:
- Correct: The peacocks are beautiful.
- Incorrect: The peacocks is beautiful.
See more examples in the tables above.
7.5. Special Cases and Regional Variations
- No major dialectal differences in the plural; “peacocks” is standard in both British and American English.
- Collective nouns like “ostentation” are more common in British English but are recognized worldwide.
7.6. Table: Summary of Usage Rules
| Form | Plural | Collective Noun | Context/Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| peacock | peacocks | ostentation, muster | Regular plural; group as unit |
| peafowl | peafowl | group, flock (rare) | Scientific/collective |
| peahen | peahens | – | Female birds |
| peachick | peachicks | – | Young birds |
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Incorrect Plural Form (“Peacockes,” “Peacocken,” etc.)
- Incorrect: peacockes
- Incorrect: peacocken
- Correct: peacocks
Explanation: “Peacock” is a regular noun: add -s only.
8.2. Misuse of “Peafowl” and “Peacocks”
Incorrect: There are many peafowls in the zoo.
Correct: There are many peafowl in the zoo.
Incorrect: I saw three peafowl males.
Correct: I saw three peacocks.
8.3. Incorrect Collective Noun Application
- Incorrect: A flock of peacocks (technically correct but not traditional; “flock” is generic)
- Correct: An ostentation of peacocks
- Correct: A muster of peacocks
8.4. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
- Incorrect: The peacocks was singing.
- Correct: The peacocks were singing.
- Incorrect: The peacock are dancing.
- Correct: The peacock is dancing.
8.5. Table: Common Mistakes with Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| peacockes | peacocks | Just add -s for regular plural |
| peafowls | peafowl | “Peafowl” is both singular and plural |
| peacocken | peacocks | No “en” ending; not irregular |
| An ostentation of peafowl | An ostentation of peacocks | Use with “peacocks” (male), not “peafowl” |
| The peacocks was… | The peacocks were… | Plural subject, plural verb |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank
- The zoo has three ________.
- Several ________ danced in the garden.
- The ________ strutted across the lawn.
- We saw five ________ and two peahens.
- An ostentation of ________ crossed the road.
9.2. Correction Exercises
- The peacocks is displaying their feathers.
- There are many peafowls in the sanctuary.
- I saw a muster of peafowl at dawn.
- The peacock were calling loudly.
- She keeps three peacockes on her farm.
9.3. Identification Exercises
Which of the following are correct plural forms? (Mark C for correct, I for incorrect)
- peacocks
- peafowls
- peachicks
- peahenes
- peafowl
9.4. Sentence Construction
Write your own sentences using the following:
- peacocks
- peahens
- peachicks
- an ostentation of peacocks
- peafowl
9.5. Matching Exercises
Match the singular noun to its correct plural or collective noun:
| Singular | Plural/Collective |
|---|---|
| peacock | a) peacocks |
| peahen | b) peahens |
| peachick | c) peachicks |
| group of peacocks | d) ostentation |
| species of peacock | e) peafowl |
9.6. Table: Exercise Answer Key
| Section | Answers |
|---|---|
| Fill-in-the-Blank |
1. peacocks 2. peacocks 3. peacock 4. peacocks 5. peacocks |
| Correction Exercises |
1. The peacocks are displaying their feathers. 2. There are many peafowl in the sanctuary. 3. I saw a muster of peacocks at dawn. 4. The peacock was calling loudly. 5. She keeps three peacocks on her farm. |
| Identification |
1. peacocks (C) 2. peafowls (I) 3. peachicks (C) 4. peahenes (I) 5. peafowl (C) |
| Matching |
peacock – a peahen – b peachick – c group of peacocks – d species of peacock – e |
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Etymology and Historical Usage
“Peacock” comes from Old English “pāwa” (pea) + “cock” (male bird). The Old English term for the species was “pāfugel,” meaning pea-bird.
Over time, “peafowl” became the scientific term for the species, while “peacock” (male) and “peahen” (female) emerged for gender distinction.
10.2. Pluralization in Scientific Nomenclature
In zoology, “peafowl” is used as both singular and plural. Scientific writing avoids “peafowls.” The species include Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl) and Pavo muticus (Green peafowl).
10.3. Regional and Cultural Variations
“Peacock” is widely used in everyday English to refer to both sexes, especially where the distinction is not important. Collective nouns like “ostentation” are traditional but not always used in casual speech.
In India, the term “peacock” is often used for the national bird, regardless of gender.
10.4. Plurals of Related Animal Terms
Some animal nouns have irregular plurals (e.g., goose → geese), while others are regular (e.g., swan → swans).
| Singular | Plural | Type |
|---|---|---|
| goose | geese | Irregular |
| duck | ducks | Regular |
| peacock | peacocks | Regular |
| swan | swans | Regular |
| sheep | sheep | Irregular (no change) |
| deer | deer | Irregular (no change) |
10.5. Idioms and Figurative Language
“Peacock” appears in idioms such as “proud as a peacock” (meaning very proud or showy). In such cases, the plural is not used unless describing more than one person or thing.
Example: “They walked into the room, proud as peacocks.”
11. FAQ Section
- What is the plural of “peacock”?
The plural of “peacock” is peacocks.
- Is “peacocks” the only correct plural form?
Yes, “peacocks” is the standard plural. Do not use “peacockes” or “peacocken.”
- What is the difference between “peacock” and “peafowl”?
“Peacock” refers specifically to the male of the species. “Peafowl” is the general term for the species, including males (peacocks), females (peahens), and young (peachicks).
- Can “peafowl” be pluralized as “peafowls”?
No. “Peafowl” is both singular and plural, like “deer” or “sheep.” “Peafowls” is generally incorrect.
- What is the collective noun for a group of peacocks?
The most recognized collective nouns are ostentation and muster of peacocks.
- When should I use “peacocks” versus “peafowl” in writing?
Use “peacocks” for male birds or in casual/general contexts. Use “peafowl” in scientific or collective contexts.
- Are there any irregular plurals for “peacock”?
No. “Peacock” is a regular noun: just add “-s” for the plural.
- What is the plural of “peahen” and “peachick”?
The plurals are peahens and peachicks, respectively.
- Is it correct to say “a flock of peacocks”?
“Flock” is a general collective noun for birds and is technically correct, but “ostentation” or “muster” is more specific for peacocks.
- How do I use “peacocks” in subject-verb agreement?
Use a plural verb: “Peacocks are beautiful” (not “is”).
- Are there any exceptions or special cases in pluralizing “peacock”?
No exceptions. “Peacocks” is always correct for the plural.
- What are some common mistakes learners make with “peacock” plurals?
Using “peacockes” or “peafowls” as plurals, confusing “peafowl” with “peacocks,” and subject-verb disagreements, such as “The peacocks was…”
12. Conclusion
To summarize, the correct plural of “peacock” is peacocks. For the species as a whole, use peafowl (unchanged in plural). Collective nouns like ostentation or muster can describe groups of peacocks, especially in formal or literary writing. Remember to use proper subject-verb agreement and avoid common mistakes such as “peafowls” or “peacockes.”
Mastering animal plurals and collective nouns helps you communicate clearly and accurately in English. Practice using these forms in your writing and speech, and explore further resources to deepen your knowledge of English grammar and animal vocabulary.