White-eyed Peafowl

White-eyed peafowl is a pattern mutation that can be found in different peafowl colors. This pattern is closely linked to the silver pied pattern and is often combined with a pied or black shoulder pattern. In this pattern, the term “white eye” referred to the ocelli on the peacock trains, not its functional eyesight.

These birds’ white-eyed feathers and pinkish-red eyes make them amazing and unique from other varieties. Peafowl birds with white-eyed patterns are relatively rare. However, due to their unique and fascinating appearance, white-eyed peafowl are highly desirable among breeders and enthusiasts of ornamental birds.

The white-eyed pattern develops in peafowl birds due to a genetic mutation that interferes with the production of melanin pigment. The melanin pigment in these birds is responsible for the coloration of their feathers and eyes. However, due to the lack of melanin pigment in white-eyed peafowl birds, their feathers are white and their eyes are pale pink.

The bird’s genetics dictate the development of the white-eyed pattern, requiring both parents to carry the gene linked to albinism for their offspring to display this trait. Moreover, in the initial stage, the white-eyed peachicks look similar to their counterparts with normal pigmentation but after getting mature, the absence of melanin starts to appear on their feathers and eyes.

White-eyed is a pattern mutation of Indian blue rather than a color mutation. The Indian blue with white-eyed pattern looks similar to the silver pied mutation. The peafowl bird comes with Indian blue coloring with a graying effect on its shoulders and wings. Moreover,  When silver pied bred to Indian blue white-eyed then it will be 50% silver pied and 50% white-eyed.

The white-eyed pattern is established in different peacock colors including purple, charcoal, opal, jade, Indian blue, midnight, peach, cameo, and bronze. Additionally, you will see some combination patterns like black shoulder white-eyed. The pattern mutation of the white-eyed and black shoulder, resulting in a black shoulder white-eyed.

White-eyed peafowl birds have white plumage, which covers their bodies. Their tail feathers are long like other peafowl birds, however, peahen birds come with shorter trains than peacocks. The male birds with white-eyed patterns remain gray throughout the body after maturation. Moreover, the appearance of the female bird is similar to that of the Indian blue peafowl, but with a gray-silver look.

Male & Female Differences

The notable difference in both genders’ appearance is their tail feathers, crest, and body size. The female bird with this pattern is not only shorter in height and body length, but its tail feathers are also smaller than those of peacocks. Additionally, the crest of the white-eyed peahen is smaller and less pronounced than that of the peacock with a white-eyed pattern.

The white-eyed is a special and rare pattern that is mostly found in Indian peafowl birds. Even though they are rare, still many breeders are attracted to them. Their unique appearance makes them one of the striking peafowl birds. Peafowl birds with white-eyed patterns can be seen in many different colors and variations.