National Bird – Peacock

• The Indian peacock, [Pavo cristatus], the national bird of India, is a colourful, swan-sized bird, with a fan-shaped crest of feathers, a white patch under the eye and a long, slender neck.
• The male of the species is more colourful 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.
• The peacock is a possessor of some of the most admired human characteristics, and is a symbol of integrity and the beauty we can achieve when we endeavor to show our true colors.
• In Hinduism, peacock is portrayed as the image of the God of thunder, rains and war, Indra. In southern part of India, peacock is considered as a ‘vahana’ or vehicle of lord Muruga.

Suggested group activities:

1. Make a field visit to the habitat of Peacocks, enjoy its beauty and picturise through drawings and paintings.
2. As a group collect the fallen peacock feathers from the ground and discuss its utility (for example, preparation of ‘Kavadi’ for Lord Murugan, feathers for dancers, hand fans)