Indian Peacock

A walking work of iridescent art.

The Indian Peafowl was declared India's national bird in 1963. Sacred in Hindu and Buddhist tradition for over 3,000 years, it appears in Indian art, dance, mythology, and on coins dating back to the Maurya Empire.

Why this animal?

Indigenous to India, recognized across every region and religion in the country, and culturally significant for millennia — peacocks were already a near-universal symbol when the designation was made official.

Things to know

·Only male peafowl (peacocks) have the famous train — the iridescent feathers can reach 5 feet long.
·The 'eyespots' aren't pigment — the color comes from microscopic crystal structures that bend light.
·Despite the heavy train, peacocks can fly short distances, especially up to roost in trees.
·Peacocks scream loudly — a sound often mistaken for someone yelling 'help.'
·The peacock is protected under India's Wildlife Protection Act — harming one is a criminal offense.

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