Peacock in its many forms is a key ingredient in fly tying streamers, dries, nymphs, and wet flies.

Swords are mainly for fancy streamers, wets, and salmon flies. One of the most widely used feathers in fly tying, herl is used for bodies and wings; eyed tails may be stripped with a pencil eraser for quill bodies. Peacock has a shine and texture that imitate many insects very well.