Peacock
Indian peafowl (national bird).
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 elaborate
courtship dance of the male, fanning out the tail and
preening its feathers is a gorgeous sight.
