Opal
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Because of the newness of this variety, Opal peafowl are not easy to find and are still rather pricey to obtain, but not nearly as much so as they were during the last few years. |
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Type of mutation: Opal is one of the newer color mutations, first discovered in the early 1990s. |
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Peacock Coloration: One of the growing number of brown peafowl now becoming available, Opal peacocks are much darker in coloration then the longer established cameos. The head and neck are a dark brown but have an aquamarine tint, giving the bird the opal gemstone effect from which its name is derived. The shoulders are barred with two shades of brown slightly lighter then the rest of the body. The train is dark brown, and the ocelli are composed of shades of opal, black, and copper. |
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Peahen Coloration: Hens are a light gray in color, which is slightly darker around the neck area. There is no iradescence found on the neck of this bird, unlike the India Blue. |
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Peachick Coloration: Opal chicks are a whitish-gray in color and look somewhat similar to blackshoulder chicks. |
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Origin: One of the newer peafowl colors discovered, it was first recognized and named by David Dickerson of Deleware and Dwayne Jones of Maryland. It was officially recognized by the United Peafowl Association as an official variety in 2001. |
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Do they breed true?: Yes, Opal x Opal does breed true. |
Young Opal male, photo courtesy of Barry @ The Feathersite.
Mature Opal hen, photo courtesy of Alex Ancona @ Ancona's Peafowl.
Mature Opal hen
(I have unfortunately lost the email and name of the man who sent me this picture. As soon as I find this info the photo will be credited accordingly).
Closeup of mature Opal cock
(I have unfortunately lost the email and name of the man who sent me this picture. As soon as I find this info the photo will be credited accordingly).
Mature Opal cock, photo courtesy of Alex Ancona @ Ancona's Peafowl.
