Peacock, The National Bird Of India

In 1963, the peacock was named the National Bird of India due to its extensive religious, mythical matters and traditions of India. The great Indian Bustard, Sarus crane, Brahminy kite and Swan were among the contenders during the selection process. In May 1960, the International Council for Bird Preservation Tokyo Summit discussion was focused on selecting an avian symbol. The giant bustard was a second choice as the national emblem. The national bird was selected by consulting state governments and public opinion through new media.

Indian Peacock-

The Indian Peacock is mostly found in Indian and South Asian countries. It is also called a blue peacock with the scientific name Pavo cristatus. It is a large brilliant bird of the pheasant family, originally from South Asia but is introduced to other parts of the world like Argentina, Indonesia, Columbia, Guyana, United states etc. 

The large, pointed, brown beak is the highlight of the peacock. They have a huge crown-like crest on top of their head made up of feather-like hair. Their claws are sharp and pointed. This bird has a long neck and a broad and flat back. The female peacock is smaller, with a green neck and dark brown plumage but does not have a colourful tail like the male. The common name is Indian peafowl and the scientific name is Pavo cristatus. They are found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and have been introduced all over the world. The Indian peacock was adopted as the national bird of India in 1963. They reside in the grasslands, forests and near the human habitat. They are omnivorous. The average weight of males is 5kg while that of females is 3.5kg. The average length for males measures 1.95m to 2.25m and females 0.95m. The wingspan is 1.8m and the lifespan ranges from 15 to 20 years in the wild. The speed is 13km/hr. The Indian peacock is under the least concern with the IUCN red list as per conservation status.

Male of the species-

Male peacocks have a predominant crest on the centre of their head and long feathers growing at the back with pretty eye-shaped marks on them. They are polygamous which means they mate with a large number of peahens during the breeding season. The males are more beautiful and they are well appreciated around the world. They can develop to a length of 1.95m to 2.25m from the tip of the beak to the end of the train with a weight of an average of 5kg. The peacock’s head, neck and breast are all blue. They also have white patches around their eyes. 

Their head is naturally decorated with a beautiful crest tipped with blue feathers. The crest and the long pretty tail are the notable features of the peacock. The tail is also known as a train, it completely grows only after 4 years of hatching. The colour of their tail exhibits the optical phenomenon that elaborates microstructures. It contains an oval-shaped eye-like structure that enhances the tail’s beauty. The thighs of Indian peacocks are buff coloured and they have a spur on the hind leg.

National Bird of India-

The selection of the national bird is done based on numerous factors. The bird needs to have unique features and should be widely spread throughout the country. The bird must be recognisable by a normal average person. The national bird should not be confused with other nations’ national emblems. It should represent the history, tradition and legends of our country. The peacock was the correct candidate. 

Peacock as a national bird-

• The Indian peacock is deeply religious and mythical in Indian traditions, which is why it was selected as India’s National Bird in 1963.
•  The religious factors related to Lord Karthikeya, Hindus regard this bird as holy and they can seduce snakes and consume their eggs as the old legends.
•  Peacocks are the males, peahens’ females and peachicks are the babies. This is one of the most famous birds on the planet.
• It upholds the important qualities or values that belong to our nation.
• It represents the fauna of the country; the indigenous factor also contributes to being a national bird.
• As a national symbol the peacock is given special status for increased preservation and conservation efforts.

Conclusion–

Peacock is considered one of the most beautiful birds with the most powerful vocalisations of any bird in the family. They are the sign of the oncoming monsoons. Peacock is a symbol of cultural heritage and historical importance and it is the pride of our nation. It is remarked by its beauty all over the world. 

As the peacock is considered the National Bird of India, the government has started initiatives to avoid any kind of threats to it and special conservation efforts have been granted. Their unique features, exquisite beauty and connection with the culture and legends have marked them as the King of the Birds.