Our world is full of magnificent creatures of which some are extinct while some are near extinction.
One
magnificent creature that fascinates me is the peacock, it is considered to be one of the most gracious
birds created by God. The peacock belongs to the Phasianidae family and is part of the Pavo cristatus
(Indian peafowl) or Pavo muticus ( Green peafowl).
Peacocks are known for their vibrant blue and green plumage(feathers), long necks and distinctive
crests. (Male) peacocks have elaborate tails with eye-like patterns while females (peahens) are duller in
colour.
Peacocks are natives to South Asia including India, Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia. They
inhabit forests, grasslands and agricultural areas. Peafowl are forest birds that nest on the ground, but
roost in trees. They are terrestrial feeders. All species of peafowl are believed to be polygamous. In
common with other members of the Galliformes, the males possess metatarsal spurs or "thorns" on
their legs used during intraspecific territorial fights with some other members of their [Link] are
omnivores and mostly eat plants, flower petals, seed heads, insects and other arthropods, reptiles, and
amphibians. Wild peafowl look for their food scratching around in leaf litter either early in the morning
or at dusk. They retreat to the shade and security of the woods for the hottest portion of the day. These
birds are not picky and will eat almost anything they can fit in their beak and digest. They actively hunt
insects like ants, crickets and termites; millipedes; and other arthropods and small [Link]
peafowl also eat small snakes.
Domesticated peafowl may also eat bread and cracked grain such as oats and corn, cheese, cooked rice
and sometimes cat food. It has been noticed by keepers that peafowl enjoy protein-rich food including
larvae that infest granaries, different kinds of meat and fruit, as well as vegetables including dark leafy
greens, broccoli, carrots, beans, beets, and peas.
The peafowl is native to India and significant in its culture. In Hinduism, the Indian peacock is the mount
of the god of war, Kartikeya, and the warrior goddess Kaumari, and is also depicted around the goddess
Santoshi. During a war with Asuras, Kartikeya split the demon king Surapadman in half. Out of respect
for his adversary's prowess in battle, the god converted the two halves into an integral part of himself.
One half became a peacock serving as his mount, and the other a rooster adorning his flag. The peacock
displays the divine shape of Omkara when it spreads its magnificent plumes into a full-blown circular
[Link] the Tantric traditions of Hinduism the goddess Tvarita is depicted with peacock feathers. A
peacock feather also adorns the crest of the god Krishna.
Ancient Greeks believed that the flesh of peafowl did not decay after death,so it became a symbol
of immortality. In Hellenistic imagery, the Greek goddess Hera's chariot was pulled by peacocks, birds
not known to Greeks before the conquests of Alexander. Alexander's tutor, Aristotle, refers to it as "the
Persian bird". When Alexander saw the birds in India, he was so amazed at their beauty that he
threatened the severest penalties for any man who slew [Link] Aelianus writes that there were
peacocks in India, larger than anywhere else.
Most commonly, during a courtship display, the visiting peahen will stop directly in front of the
peacock, thus providing her with the ability to assess the male at 90° to the surface of the feather. Then,
the male will turn and display his feathers about 45° to the right of the sun's azimuth which allows the
sunlight to accentuate the iridescence of his train. If the female chooses to interact with the male, he
will then turn to face her and shiver his train so as to begin the mating process.
In courtship, vocalisation stands to be a primary way for peacocks to attract peahens. Some studies
suggest that the intricacy of the "song" produced by displaying peacocks proved to be impressive to
peafowl. Singing in peacocks usually occurs just before, just after, or sometimes during copulation.
Peacocks are often depicted as proud birds due to their elegant and timed display of their feathers
while moving around but I believe it's their own way of displaying the artistic brilliance of nature.