Why does a peacock spread open its tail?

Question

Why does a peacock spread open its tail?

Answer 1

For a few reasons.  

Mating, it shows how many pretty feathers it has showing how healthy it is.

Defense, it makes it look big and scary to things that want to eat it.

and again Defense, the circle on the tail feathers is thought to look like an eye.  Predators are not sure what to think when so many eyes are looking at it.

Answer 2

It's called fanning it's tail. The male peacock uses this technique to attract a female, for obvious reasons.

Answer 3

It is a mating technique.  They use it to draw the attention of the females, and basically to say hey look at me see this.

Answer 4

It's the males technique of saying "Hey look at me"! There trying to show off and impress the females with their beautiful colours!

Answer 5

the peacock that have the beautiful tails are the males.  that is a kind of "mating call" for the females.  and the one with the most attractive tail is the one the female picks.