Page 6 - Apr-Jun 2018

NatIoNaL BIrD: tHe ProuD

PeaCoCK

The peacock is a symbol of pride and elegance. It is commonly known as the Indian Peafowl.
It was declared the national bird in the year 1963.
A fEAThErY MYTh!
ThE pEACoCk, pAVo CrISTATUS
According to western beliefs, it
Peacocks live around human habitation in is considered unlucky to bring the
villages and urban areas. The females beautiful feathers of a peacock into
(peahens) lay eggs in the ground and the house. This is because of the eye-
incubate them for 28-30 days. Males like marking at the end of the feathers.
develop their distinctive feathers It is believed that these eyes are a sign of the ‘evil eye’
from 2 years of age, and they which would bring bad luck and ill fortune into the
mature at 4. They live for around home. However, in India, peacock feathers are considered
15 years when in the wild. They feed to bring good luck. They are also associated with Lord
on grains and insects and are said Krishna, which gives them religious importance as well.
to be the enemies of snakes. The amuktha reddy, iX b, bharatiya Vidya bhavan’s Public school
peacock is an omnivorous bird and feeds (Vidyashram), Jubilee hills, hyderabad
on insects, plants, seeds, small mammals,
reptiles and flowers. Male peacock is
Illustration by:
known as mor and female peacock is Shyambaskar S., VII B, Sri pEACoCk ToDAY
known as morni. The male peacock is Shankara Public School, The tag of being a national symbol helps increase the
twice the size of the female peacock Adayar, Chennai awareness and conservation efforts to protect the species.
and appears even larger when it displays its feathers.
Peacocks used to be killed for flesh and their feathers.
heena gupta, Vii e, bhavan’s sl Public school, amritsar However, now they are fully protected under the Indian
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The sole effort to do a
peacock count was by WWF India in 1991, which showed
MYSTICAL MAYUrA that India was left with only 50% of the total peacock

The Peacock is also the sacred bird of India, population that existed in 1947. However, they are not
because of its presence in Indian mythology. In classified as endangered.
Hindu mythology, it is believed that Mayura or We need to be wary because the peacock population
peacock was created from one of the feathers is declining due to habitat loss, contamination of food
of Garuda (carrier of Lord Vishnu). It is sources, poaching, water scarcity and extreme weather
the carrier animal of Kartikeya, and conditions. They are still being poached in Northern India
is seen with Goddess Saraswati as which was once a rich peacock belt! Peacocks are also killed
well, with its feathers lowered for their fat, which some mistake as a cure for arthritis.
to symbolise humility. Krishna
wears a peacock feather in
his headdress. ACTIVITY: prETTY pEACoCk
Srikar, IX B, K. Vaisakhi, IX B, The beautiful peacock is a favourite with artists, especially
and Pranav R., IX B, our folk artists. Can you name the styles of these paintings?
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s
Public School
(Vidyashram), Jubilee
hills, hyderabad

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20