Why do peacocks have colourful feathers?

Peacocks have colourful feathers to attract mates during courtship displays. The iridescent colours are created by microscopic structures on the feathers that reflect and refract light. This phenomenon, known as structural coloration, produces shimmering patterns that change with the angle of light. Males use their vibrant tail feathers to signal their health and genetic fitness to potential mates. While the bright colours make them more visible to predators, the benefits for reproduction outweigh the risks.