The National Bird of India . The Peacock, Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus), is the national bird of India. It is a symbol of grace, joy, beauty and love. Peacock is a large and majestic bird. Peacock is a colorful, swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head, a white patch under the eye and a long-slender neck.The male of the species is more colorful than the female with a glistening blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze-green tail of around 200 elongated feathers. The female is brownish, slightly smaller than the male and lacks the tail. Peacock occupies a respectable position in Indian culture and is protected not only by religious sentiments but also by parliamentary statute. It is fully protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.The significance of peacock is attached to cultures of India, Far East, Ancient Persia, Greek and Christian. In Hinduism, the image of the god of thunder, rains and war, Indra, was depicted in the form of a peacock. In south India, peacock is considered as a 'vahana' or vehilce of lord Muruga. The figure of peacock is painted in various Islamic religious buildings. In Christianity, the peacock was also known as the symbol of the 'Resurrection'.In India people believe that whenever the cock spread its tails in an ornamental fashion, it indicates that rain is imminent. In a way it is partly true. At the sight of dark clouds the bird outspreads its tail and starts dancing in rhythmic fashion.Found wild in India (and also domesticated in villages) they live in jungle lands near water. They were once bred for food but now hunting of peacocks is banned in India. The peahen has no plumage. These birds do not sound as beautiful as they look— they have a harsh call.Why is peacock the national bird of India?In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. The criteria for this choice were many. The bird must be well-distributed within the country so it could truly 'national'. It must be recognisable to the common man. It must lend itself to formal depiction, i.e. abstract depiction on government publications, etc. It must not be confused with the bird emblem of any other nation. It should be associated with Indian myths and legends. The peacock fit the bill.However peahens (females) are smaller and are of muddy-brown color. Peacocks are found throughout India, especially on the south and east of the Indus River and is protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It is a crime to poach this national bird in India and is strictly prohibited. The glistening blue breast of the peacock fascinated almost everybody while its elongated bronze-green feathers are often used to make decorative fans and other items by the Indian folk artists. Children love to keep these feathers in books. One can often spot a peacock in Jammu and Kashmir, east Assam, south Mizoram and the entire expanse of the Indian peninsula. The native species with its striking plumage are related to pheasants and generally found wild in India though they have been domesticated in some villages.National Bird of India - Peacock - Indian Peacock has earned the glory of being the National Bird of the biggest democracy in the world. The biological name of the species is Pavo cristatus. Full of grace, pride, mysticism and beauty, peacocks have long been a part of the mythological tales of India and a symbol of royalty and divinity. Its beautiful shimmering colors made it a favorite amongst the Mughal period art and architectural motifs. This swan-sized bird has a long slender neck, white patch under its eyes and a fan-shaped beautiful array of feathers that are brightly colored in males as blue and green-bronze feathers. They are a perpetual joy to see, especially when they spread their feathers on a cloudy day just before it rains and dance gracefully to court the females. A crown-shaped crest their head lends them a more exotic look.

• published: 07 Sep 2013
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