Peacock 🦚 : India's national bird

The Peacock: India’s National Bird

The peacock, or “मोर” in Hindi, is a bird of exceptional beauty and cultural significance, especially in India. It is a part of the Pavoninae subfamily, which includes three species: the Indian Peafowl found in the Indian subcontinent, the Green Peafowl found in Southeast Asia, and the Congo Peafowl found in Africa.

Description

The peacock is known for its vibrant colors and extravagant tail feathers. The male peacock, in particular, is renowned for its iridescent blue-green plumage and a fan-like crest of feathers on its head. Technically, only the male bird is referred to as a peacock, while the female is known as a peahen.

The Indian Peafowl, also known as the Blue Peafowl, is predominantly blue with a mixture of green and turquoise. It has an elaborate crest and an eye-spotted “tail” or “train”. This train is not the bird’s actual tail but highly elongated upper tail coverts. The Green Peafowl differs from the Indian Peafowl in that it has green and gold plumage and black wings with a sheen of blue.

Cultural Significance

In India, the peacock holds a special place in mythology and folklore. It is considered sacred and killing it is seen as a sin2. The peacock is often associated with various deities in Hindu mythology. Lord Krishna, for instance, is often depicted with a peacock feather adorning his crown2.

The beauty of the peacock has been celebrated in various forms of art and literature. The famous Sanskrit poet Kalidasa has given the peacock a place of honor in his works. The image of a dancing peacock with its magnificent feathers spread out is one that has inspired countless artists and poets.

Conservation

Despite being revered and protected by religious customs and national legislation, the population of peacocks has been declining due to habitat loss and hunting. Efforts are being made to conserve this beautiful bird that holds so much cultural significance.

In conclusion, the peacock is not just a bird; it’s an integral part of India’s rich cultural heritage. As an old Hindi quote goes:

“सफलता की सबसे खास बात है की, वो मेहनत करने वालों पर फ़िदा हो जाती है I” 

This translates to: “The most special thing about success is that it favors those who work hard.” Just like the peacock, which displays its beautiful feathers after many days and nights of growth and care, success too comes after persistent effort and hard work.