Indian Peacock - The Bird of Lord Krishna

Indian Peacock or peafowl - the national bird of India - is one of the most beautiful indigenous birds of India. Indian peacock is known for beautiful feathers and romantic dance under the black-clouded sky. Owing to its national importance and religious sanctity, peacock are abundantly found in each part of India. Lord Krishna is always presented with colourful feathers of peacock. Indian peacock is also regarded as the vehicle of Shanmukha son of Lord Shiva. Their depiction in the work of art and literature has been of great value.



Scientific Classification of Peacock

Kingdom: Animalia Class: Aves Family: Phasianidae Species: P. cristatus Phylum: Chordata

Order: Galliformes Latin Name: Indian Pavo Genus: PavoLocal Names: More (Hindi), Nemali (Telgu)

Physical Traits of Indian Peacock
Male Indian peacock is known all over the world for its decoration and beautiful feathers. It has a crest and a magnetic train to an unreliable extent. The whole of the body measures around 2.3 meters which include the train of 1.4-1.6 meters in length. It is almost 60% of its total body length. The train is originally formed by 100-150 highly specialized upper tail-coverts which it spread to express its erotic feelings to female peacock. Each feather of the train is marked with an ornamental ocellus or eye-spot and possess long disintegrated barbs, giving the feathers a loose, fluffy appearance. Female peacock weigh 2.75-4.0 kg and her body reaches hardly reaches more than 1.0 meters.


Habitat & Diet of Indian Peacock
The Indian Peafowl is not endangered species in subcontinent. It is frequently found in India and neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal in Himalayan regions. They live in large heard in open forests, banks of rivers and streams, orchards and stream side forests. As their food, they take grains, insects, small reptiles, small mammals, berries, drupes, wild figs and some cultivated crops.
Spotting the Peacock
If you are really want to watch our this beautiful national bird, you can watch them in any part of the country. Even, on the side of your road and far in the fields from your vehicle, they can be seen in full majesty. Following sanctuaries are known for harboring a large heard of peacock. Must watch them during your visit to these sanctuaries.

• Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kaziranga National Park
• Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuaries
• Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary
• Overa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
• Sultanpur National Park
• Flamingo Colony