The Peacock, Pavo cristatus (Linnaeus), is the national bird of India. 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.

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.

In 1963, the peacock was declared the National Bird of India because of its rich religious and legendary involvement in Indian traditions. A peacock is a living rainbow. A peacock alone has the whole world of colors. A peacock represents the very essence of Indian philosophy.

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