What does the image of a peacock in Indian clothes mean. The peacock is an earthly phoenix. Indian peacock and other pheasants of India
An overview of the national bird of India - the peacock.
In this review, we have relied solely on Indian publications, including several articles from India's official magazine for abroad, India Perspectives, which is published by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in sixteen languages, reflecting the Indian view of the country and the world.
Indian peacock (pavo cristatus) fluffy tail.
This image of an Indian peacock (pavo cristatus) seems to emphasize that without its luxurious tail, the peacock would not be a very remarkable bird.
In an issue of India Perspectives (June-July 2008, Russian), the then publisher of this magazine and secretary of the Public Diplomacy Department of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amit Dasgupta (Amit Dasgupta) within the following way compared his country - India with a peacock:
“India is striking in its immensity, not only in the field of geography or history. The scope of the diversity of this country is truly unparalleled. From north to south, from east to west, this country is never static and unpredictable. The changes taking place in the country reflect its soaring spirit and underlie its identity. Landscapes, traditions, clothing, languages, cuisines, even gods, all differ from place to place.
India is like the colors in a peacock's tail, where each color is unique and vibrant. But at the same time, these colors cannot be separated from one another - the colors are mixed, smoothly flowing into each other. This is real magic!
For me, India is a sacred peacock and an unfading perennial tree. It's both a mystery and a charm. This is my house! It can be both modern and classic, and new and traditional. It is both change and permanence. This is eternity and modernity - past, present, future. End of quote.
So, peacock, namely the Indian peacock (in Latin pavo cristatus which literally means "peacock adorned with feathers") is the national bird of India.
As one of the largest English-language newspapers in India, The Hindu, wrote in a recent history essay, On the first of February 1963 (and, in other words, fifty years ago), the Government of India issued its decision to count the peacock ( pavo cristatus) national bird of indiaand.
At the same time, the rivals of the peacock during the decision of the government of the country on the national bird of India, according to the newspaper, were the Indian great bustard (lat. ardeotis nigriceps), Indian crane ( grus antigone), as well as the sacred mythical hamsa goose ( hamsa) and the mythical bird Garuda ( garuḍa) . The latter is a fantastic bird, which is a half-human, half-eagle, which is present in Hindu mythology as a riding bird of the god Vishnu and a symbol of enlightenment, because. hunts for snakes, symbolizing doubt.
“India is like the colors in the plumage of a peacock's tail, in which each color is unique and bright... India is a sacred peacock and an unfading perennial tree...”
Former Secretary of Public Diplomacy at the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amit Dasgupta
However, the main rival of the peacock for the status of the national bird of India, when making a decision in government circles, the newspaper called the very real Indian great bustard.
Note that in India's two neighboring countries, other varieties of the peacock are also national birds.. In Nepal, the national bird is the Himalayan monal pheasant (lat. lophophorus impejanus), and in Myanmar (Burma) - gray peacock pheasant ( polyplectron bicalcaratum).
Indian peacock and other pheasants of India
This is not an Indian peacock, but its close relative - the Himalayan monal pheasant (lophophorus impejanus).
It is considered the national bird of Nepal, but is also widely represented in India.
It is found in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
ill. from "India Perspective".
As is known, The peacock belongs to the pheasant family.
Samar Singh, President of the Indian branch of the World Pheasants Association (WPA), discussed in detail in his article "Pheasants - the national birds of India", published in the journal "India Perspectives" (January 2002, Russian language). .), the question of whether why the peacock should be associated specifically with India, from the point of view of bird science.
In this connection, Samar Singh mentions that India is the home of the ancestor of the domestic chicken. As you know, chickens are also included in the pheasant family, which include, as already mentioned, and peacock.
Samar Singh writes:
“India is at the crossroads of three different biogeographic realms: African, Palearctic (European and North Asian) and Indo-Malay. As a result, the species of life found in the country have elements of all these three realms, in addition to many species that are uniquely Indian. This great diversity is especially noticeable among the birds of the country. Out of a total of over 9,000 bird species found worldwide, almost 1,300 are found in India., that is, more than one sixth of the total diversity of birds in the world lives in a country that occupies only one fiftieth of the entire land mass of the world.
The best example of the rich variety of birds in the country are the Indian pheasants, which include some of the world's most unparalleled beauty birds, as well as those that have proven to be the most useful and economically important for mankind.
Luxurious The peacock is the national bird of India. It is also known as the Indian peacock ( pavo cristatus) . Dazzling in its beauty, the dance of the male peacock captivates the viewer. This is truly an amazing sight. Many myths, religious signs and superstitions are associated with this beautiful bird. For centuries, the peacock has found a place in the architecture, music, folklore and literature of India.
The Indian peacock is a species of pheasant found in India. This breed includes some of the most striking and most useful birds in the world. In a sense, pheasants may well be considered the national birds of India.
There are three arguments in support of this claim.
The first is, of course, that the national bird belongs to this breed and that most of its other varieties are also exceptionally attractive and deserve this high status. It is not surprising, therefore, that one of them - the monal pheasant - was chosen by Nepal as its national bird. She is also the main bird of Himachal Pradesh. It is quite rightly called the "bird of nine colors."
Secondly, it seems that most varieties of pheasants first appeared in the Himalaya region and then spread to Tibet, China, Burma and other countries of South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Caucasus.
Arguments in favor
peacockas the national bird of India:
Samar Singh, president of the Indian branch of the World Pheasants Association (WPA), in his article (see text in the main review) makes the following arguments in favor of the peacock as the national bird of India:
1. The peacock is exceptionally attractive;
2. Most varieties of pheasants (to which the peacock belongs) first appeared in the Himalaya region, and then spread to Tibet, China, Burma and other countries of South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Caucasus, In other words, India is not only the birthplace of the peacock , but also the birthplace of pheasant At the same time, the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh is the richest region in the world in terms of diversity of peacock species (10 species);
3. By making the peacock the national bird of India, we are remembering its close relative, the red bank hen (gallus gallus), the ancestor of all domestic chickens in the world. The red bank chicken (gallus gallus) is native to India;
While there are a total of 49 species of pheasants worldwide, it is interesting to note that only one of them, the Congo peacock, has a homeland outside of Asia. The rest are all of Asian origin. Without a doubt, India is in this sense the richest country, with the exception of China.
And thirdly, India is the birthplace of the red bank chicken ( gallus gallus), which is considered the ancestor of all domestic chickens in the world and proved to be undoubtedly the most useful and economically important bird species for mankind. Of all the birds of the world, none has had a closer association with man, or has contributed more to his well-being, than the red bank hen. It is from this variety of pheasants, including its five subspecies, that all domestic species take their origin. Now this bird, in all likelihood, is considered the most widespread on earth.
It is not known exactly when people began to domesticate wild chickens. It is possible that this happened about 5000 years ago. Gallus gallus reached central Europe as early as 1500 BC and during the time of the Roman Empire it was already firmly established there as a poultry.
Gradually, it spread throughout the planet where people lived, and now the poultry industry is a multi-million dollar industry that is growing and expanding as the demand for eggs and white meat in the world increases.
Moreover, this bird has brought enormous benefits to human health in at least two other ways. First, in the late 30s, these birds, infected with malarial mosquitoes, helped create a cure. paludrin, which was especially useful to soldiers in the region during World War II. And in times closer to us, experiments conducted with these birds helped a lot in identifying the AIDS virus in humans.
Banking chicken (gallus gallus).
India is the birthplace of the red bank chicken (gallus gallus), which is considered the ancestor of all domestic chickens in the world and a relative of the peacock.
ill. from "India Perspective".
An interesting fact about the red banker chicken is that while they can be found in a tame form throughout India and, indeed, wherever people live on earth, in the wild in India it is found only in the north and east, as well as in parts of central India.
It is known that it was originally found throughout the country south of the Indus River.
Now, in the lower reaches of central and western India and in all southern regions, its close cousin, the gray bank hen, reigns, and the red one is no longer found here. When and how this happened is a mystery that scientists have not yet solved.
The Indian peacock and the two types of bankiving hen we have discussed above are mostly birds of the plains, and may be called plains pheasants.
All other pheasants found in India live at high altitude, and deserve to be called mountain pheasants, or mountain pheasants. There are 13 species of them, and they can in principle be divided into those found in the western region, that is, in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal (now renamed Uttarakhand, Note site), and those found in the eastern region, namely: in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. However, some varieties are found in both of these regions.
One of the varieties of Indian pheasants is Chir pheasants (catreus wallichi).
One of the varieties of Indian pheasants is Chir pheasants (catreus wallichi). They live in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
ill. from "India Perspective".
The prevalence of Indian pheasants by country:
1. Blood Pheasant ( ithaginis cruentus) - Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, North Bengal;
2. Western tragopan ( tragopan melanocephalus) - Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh;
3. Satyr tragopan ( tragopan satyra) Uttaranchal, Sikkim, North Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh;
4. Blyth's Tragopan (tragopan blythii) - Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland;
5. Tragopan Temminka (tragopan temminckii) - Arunachal Pradesh;
6. Himalayan (impeyan) monal ( lophophorus impejanus) - Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh;
7. Monal Mishmi Scolter ( lophophorus sclateri) - Arunachal Pradesh;
8. Pheasant Elui ( crossoptilon harmani) - Arunachal Pradesh;
9. Pheasant kalij ( Lophura leucomelanos) - Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura;
10. Pheasant Chir ( catreus wallichi) -Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal;
11. Pheasant koklas ( pucrasia macrolopha) - Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal;
12. Pheasant Hume ( syrmaticus humiae) - Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland;
13. Gray peacock-pheasant ( polyplectron bicalcaratum) - Sikkim, North Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh.
It is quite obvious that there are more pheasants and their varieties in the eastern region. And, of course, the richest state in this regard is Arunachal Pradesh. It contains 10 out of a total of 16 pheasant species now found in India. Of these, three varieties are currently only found in Arunachal Pradesh. No other region of the world the size of Arunachal Pradesh boasts an even greater variety of pheasants.
All Indian pheasants primarily live on the ground in forests, although the Indian peacock is known to live well in non-forest areas and even in urban areas. Pheasants also serve as important indicators in the sense that their presence or absence in an area is a good indicator of the health of the ecosystem itself.
The recent deforestation, especially in the Himalayas, has undoubtedly led to the loss of habitats for all kinds of pheasants, and this situation is of course of great concern. This represents the single biggest threat to the survival of these amazing birds. Another threat is poaching, although under Indian law the hunting and trading of all pheasants is outright prohibited under the terms of the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972.
The pheasant conservation movement in India started relatively recently.. However, the first serious attempt to protect them was made when the Pheasant Conservation Fund was established in the UK in the late 1950s. This paved the way for the creation of the World Pheasant Conservation Association (WPA) in the mid-1970s. After that, the WPA helped open branches abroad. Thus, in 1979, the WPA-India branch was opened in India. Since then, in partnership with WPA-International, this national chapter has been committed to promoting the cause of pheasant conservation in the country,” wrote Samar Singh, President of Pheasant Protection International India, in India Perspectives.
The peacock dance comes with the rainy season
The image of a peacock is an integral part of Indian miniature paintings.
ill. from India Perspectives.
Peacock in the culture of India in the past...
The next part of our review is devoted to a cursory description of the influence of the peacock on Indian culture. "The peacock is part of the cultural spirit of India." That was the title of a note by Thakur Paramjit, published in the same official journal India Perspectives (November 1994, Russian).
The note begins by mentioning the fact that withhowling famous peacock dance bird performs in the rainy season, it is during this life-giving season that she has a mating season.
Peacock Probably the most beautiful bird in the world. But in India, peacocks have a special place - they are recognized as the national bird of India. In addition, the peacock is a very popular bird in Indian culture and religions.
Peacocks in India
In Hinduism, the peacock is a vahana (mount) of 2 gods: Saraswati - the personification of wisdom, the patroness of the arts and the wife of the god Brahma, as well as the god Kartikeya (his other names are Skanda, Kumara), the second son of Shiva and Parvati.
In Buddhism, the peacock is the companion of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
In addition, the culture of Rajasthan () also symbolizes a happy peacock, so the figurines of peacocks decorate the house of the bride and groom, as well as the wedding bed.
Peacocks in India are not uncommon at all, in some places you can see whole flocks of wild peacocks, they live in bushes and other thickets. they are shy and do not let a person close, they probably know that many people like their beautiful feathers. True, it is absolutely not necessary to catch a peacock in order to acquire its beautiful feathers, the birds themselves drop them, so if you take a walk in their habitats, you will be rewarded with several at once, and completely different ones.
I always thought that the peacock is an Indian bird, well, or found mainly in South Asia, it turned out that it wasn’t.
In conclusion, I offer an interesting article
Peacock - the solar bird of India
Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus)- a genus of large birds, the pheasant family (lat. Phasianidae), order of galliformes (lat. Galliformes).
looking at peacocks, you might think that this genus of birds has many species, so they can be different in color and structure. but it is not. in the genus of peacocks, there are: an ordinary peacock (Pavo cristatus), a green peacock (Pavo muticus) and a Congolese or African peacock (Afropavo congensis).
there are significant differences between these genera, which are manifested both in appearance and in reproduction.
Thanks to the magnificent eyed tail (or rather, the feathers of the upper tail), the peacock is known as the most beautiful bird on earth. they are also often called the most beautiful of the birds and solar birds of India.
Common or Indian peacock
This species was discovered by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. it was named Indian because of its habitat - tropical forests and India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. Birds of this species are also often referred to as blue peacocks. and all because their head, neck and part of the chest are painted blue. The length of males reaches 100-120 centimeters, and the elongated covering feathers of the uppertail - 120-160 centimeters. a bunch of core feathers with an edge flaunts on the head.
Females are smaller and not too brightly colored. they don’t have a chic “tail”, which she awarded the males.
Green or January Peacock
lives in Southeast Asia. it differs from the usual peacock in color and size - the green peacock is much larger. The length of his body can reach 2-2.5 meters, and tail feathers - 140-160 centimeters. The birds are distinguished by a bright green color with a metallic sheen, longer legs and a head decorated with a small tuft of fully pubescent feathers.
The number of green peacocks is small. Now he is under protection and is listed in the international Red Book under the status of "vulnerable".
Congolese or African peacock
the official discovery of the species took place only in 1936. This merit belongs to the scientist James Chapin. it turned out that the birds, although they are relatives of the common peacock, belong to a completely different species. African peacocks live in the Congo basin and in the forests of Zaire at an altitude of 350-1500 meters. They do not have such a beautiful tail as their brothers, and the size is small.
In 1963, the Indian peacock (pavo cristatus), also named the blue peacock, was named the national bird of India by the Government of India.
The famous ornithologist, the late Dr. Salim Ali, once told me that the choice was between the Indian peacock and the great Indian bustard, both of which were large and well-known typically Indian birds. This issue was discussed in the Indian Wildlife Council, and in the end, the Indian peacock was chosen, which was recommended to the government, not only because it is the most common in India, but also because it has a long association with life. and culture of the Indian people.
For some reason, this aspect is taken for granted, and in general, the fact is little appreciated that in no other country in the world, except for India, such ancient and intimate ties between the national bird and the people are observed.
The peacock is considered a divine creature in Indian mythology, especially as the vehicle, or vahana, of Kartykei, the son of the god Shiva and the commander of the army of all the gods. It is also said that when the gods assumed the forms of various birds, Devraj Indra chose the most beautiful of them in the form of a peacock. Since then, whenever the god Indra sends rain on the earth, all the peacocks begin to dance for joy, which is a wonderful sight suitable for the gods.
The association of the god Krishna with the peacock is truly legendary. His headdress was always adorned with peacock feathers and he was known as "mor-Mukut". It is said that when Krishna was courting Radha, he danced like a peacock, and when he played his divine flute, the peacocks would join in the dances of the gopis. Even now, the entrances to temples dedicated to Krishna are decorated with images of peacocks.
In the famous epic "Ramayana" there are many references to this bird. There is also a folk tale, included in the Buddhist collection "Jataka", called "Maha-mor". It tells that Gautam Buddha before his birth as a man was a golden peacock. In Buddhist mythology, the peacock is a symbol of compassion and vigilance. Many Buddhist and Jain legends and folk tales contain references to the role and importance of peacocks.
According to Indian history, the earliest finds associated with the peacock date back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed about 5,000 years ago. Excavations in Harappa, Mohenjodaro and in some other places have revealed not only evidence of the existence of the peacock in those days, but also, most importantly, evidence of the great role that the peacock played for the people of those days. There was also a popular belief that after death a person's soul goes to heaven with the help of a peacock and in the form of a peacock. Later, throughout the history of India, one way or another, the peacock received state recognition.
The rulers of the Mauryan and Gupta dynasties granted him a special status. They even kept and bred these birds in their palace gardens. The emperor Ashoka in the second century BC introduced a ban on the killing of peacocks for food purposes, and the image of the peacock figures prominently in some of his edicts carved in stone.
The famous Sanchi stupa, dating from about the same period, also has images of a peacock. During the reign of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century, coins with the image of a peacock were cast. In those days, he was a favorite topic in art and architecture. This trend, in various variations, continued to exist even during the Middle Ages, when Muslim rulers dominated. For example, the kings of the Tughlaq dynasty were so fascinated by the beauty of peacock feathers that they displayed their design in their state emblem. They also sought to use them in different ways. The headdresses of the soldiers of their army were decorated with peacock feathers. Moreover, in the courts of many rulers throughout the country, including the Mughals, fans made from peacock feathers were regularly used.
The memoirs of Babur, the first Mughal emperor, known as "Baburnama", contain interesting descriptions of the birds of India. They begin with a story about a peacock. Babur describes the peacock as follows: "This is a wonderful bird of beautiful coloring. Its appearance cannot be compared with its coloring and beauty."
However, the highest honors for this bird were given by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, when he made a gem-studded Peacock Throne shortly after his coming to power. It was a unique and fabulous example of artistic work. It took 7 years to build it, and the cost of its creation amounted to millions. They are believed to have doubled the cost of building the Taj Mahal. This throne literally dazzled with its beauty and the radiance of the precious stones with which it was strewn. A canopy towered above it, held on 12 emerald columns. Above it was decorated with large figures of peacocks of the finest work, literally covered with precious stones - rubies, diamonds, pearls and emeralds.
Shah Jahan was well aware of the Islamic tradition that the peacock is the true guardian of the gates of Paradise, as well as the Persian myth, in which two peacocks, standing face to face on both sides of the "Tree of Life", symbolize the duality of human nature.
Over the course of a century, the Peacock Throne became the most prestigious symbol of Mughal power and authority. Around 1648, it was moved from Agra to Delhi when Shahjahan changed his capital. Then in 1739 Nadir Shah invaded India. He plundered Delhi and took with him to Persia this magnificent throne, along with the rest of the loot. It became known that for more than 200 years the throne was in Tehran, and then mysteriously disappeared, and nothing has been known about it since. Now legends are told about him.
After the theft of the original throne, the Mughal emperors up to the period of the deposition of Bahadur Shah in 1857 are said to have used a silver peacock throne, which, of course, was only a pale copy of the original. During the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, a small amazingly beautiful peacock throne was created in his honor in Dresden, which stood in a diorama fabulous in its picturesqueness. Then, about 100 years ago, King Ludwig of Germany commissioned a peacock throne, richly decorated with three life-size enameled peacocks.
It is quite clear that interest in the Indian peacock spread to other parts of the world several centuries ago, mainly through traders and raiders. At different times they brought peacocks to the countries of Asia, Africa and Europe. There are reports that peacocks were found in the gardens of Egyptian pharaohs, Roman emperors, and even the legendary King Solomon, who had a throne decorated with peacock images.
When Alexander the Great invaded India in the 3rd century BC, he took several Indian peacocks with him to Macedonia. In early Christian art, the image of two peacocks standing face to face represented the souls of believers drinking from the fountain of life. There was also a Christian belief, attributed to Saint Augustine, that the peacock is a symbol of the immortality of the soul, since its flesh does not rot.
Even in China, the peacock is considered a symbol of beauty, dignity and status. It was the emblem of the rulers of the Ming Dynasty. Nowadays, in the zoological parks of a number of countries, you can see peacocks, which are considered rare birds there. Peacocks are also kept in the Palais des Nations complex in Geneva.
Thanks to the continuous patronage of the nobility over the centuries in India, the peacock as a symbol has become part of the most diverse aspects of the life and culture of the Indian people from the earliest times. Examples of this can be found in art, architecture, sculpture, painting, jewelry, handicrafts, textiles, literature, music, folklore and traditions from almost all regions of the country. All this proves that for centuries humanity has shown an extraordinary interest in this wonderful bird, which has found its expression in various types of creative impulse.
The peacock occupies a special place in the life of Indians. It is found throughout the country and from childhood becomes part of the psyche of an ordinary Indian. This is probably why Indian literature in all languages and dialects, starting with Sanskrit, is full of references to this wonderful bird. In terms of its popularity, no other bird can compare with it. The same can be said about music, folklore and songs from different regions of the country. Even the English language could not escape its influence. "Proud as a peacock" is an expression often used in English.
The peacock entered the English lexicon in another roundabout way. Various shades of flowers are called "peacock blue" (peacock blue), "peacock green" (peacock green). There are birds bearing such names as "peacock-pheasant" or "peacock-heron". A number of flowers have the names "peacock iris", "peacock butterfly". There are also "peacock beetle" and "peacock moth", not to mention "peacock ore" and "peacock coal". And what can we say about the "peacock dance", when a male peacock demonstrates his feelings for a female! This dance also helps meteorologists, as it is usually performed in anticipation of the monsoons.
The Indian peacock has an amazing ability to adapt. It belongs to the breed of pheasants, which are found in India. 17 varieties, which is one third of the total number of pheasant species in the world, numbering 51. All these birds usually live in the jungle and mountains. Indian peacocks prefer to live in the bush. They are the only species of pheasants that can live near human settlements and even cities. This is another factor that contributed to their long and long intimate association with the population of the country.
The Indian peacock, in its beauty and ability to adapt, is incomparable with any other bird. Majestic and resplendent and at the same time plebeian in its habits, it belongs to a special exclusive category. He is the true symbol of India, and he is rightfully called the national bird of India.
March 11th, 2013
Many believe that the peacock (lat. Pavo Linnaeus) is a truly special bird. However, this is not quite true. The results of research by zoologists have shown that the peacock has a lot in common with an ordinary chicken and belongs to the chicken order! The magnificent "tail" of the peacock is actually the feathers of the rump, while the tail itself consists of nondescript gray feathers.
These exotic birds are widespread in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some other countries. They prefer to stay in the jungle at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Like the common domestic chicken, the peacock is a ground bird and runs very well and makes its way through dense thickets.
At real peacocks(Pavo) the upper tail coverts are very strongly developed, which the male spreads in the form of a fan-shaped plume during displaying. The head of these birds is small, the neck is long. The male and female differ in plumage color and length of uppertail coverts. The sixth primary feather is longer than the others.
Common, or blue, peacock (Pavocristatus) very handsome. Its head, neck and forechest are purplish-blue with a golden or green tint. The back is green with a metallic sheen, blue strokes, brown spots and black feather edging; the loin and wing coverts are light rusty in color with black glossy transverse strokes, the tail is brown. The underside is black with grey-brown markings. The uppertail feathers are green with a bronze sheen and variegated rounded “ocellated” spots with a black spot in the center. The beak is pink, the legs are bluish-gray. The length of the male is 180-230 cm, the tail is 40-50 cm and the tail train is 140-160 cm.
The female has a strip near the eyes, the sides of the head and throat are white, the bottom of the neck, the upper back and chest are shiny, green, the rest of the upper body is earthy-brown with a light wavy pattern. On the head is a crest of brown feathers with a green sheen. The length of the female is 90-100, the tail is 32-37 cm. The common peacock (2 subspecies) is widespread in India and on the island of Sri Lanka. Subspecies black-winged peacock (Pavomuticus nigripennis) differs from the ordinary one in black shiny shoulders and wings with a bluish tint, and the female - in a lighter color of plumage; her back and neck are covered with brown and yellowish stains.
Or, here's an option:
Javanese peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - a genus of large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), order of galliformes (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks that lives in the South-East Asia.
Javanese peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - a genus of large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), order of galliformes (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks that lives in the South-East Asia.
Unlike the common peacock, the Javanese peacock is much larger and brighter in color, has metallic plumage and longer legs, neck and crest on the head. The elongated tail of peacocks is flat, while most pheasants are roof-shaped.
Thanks to the lush, fan-shaped eyed "tail", the peacock is known as the most beautiful bird among the galliformes.
A characteristic feature of the male peacock is the strong development of the upper tail coverts, usually mixed in society with the tail feathers or tail in the proper sense of the word.
There are two Asian species of peacocks, common and Javanese palin.
Although the ranges of the two Asian species (P. cristatus and P. muticus) do not overlap, hybrids between them often occur in captivity and are called Spalding - named after Keith Spalding, the first to cross cristatus and muticus . The offspring from these crosses are completely fertile.
Common, or Indian, or crested, peacock (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacocks. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). Domesticated by man.
Javanese peacock, or gigantic, the peacock is the largest in the joy of chicken. In appearance, it resembles an ordinary peacock, but larger than it, in addition, it also differs in that its neck and chest are painted in greenish colors, and the crest on its head does not fan out - it consists of feathers pressed against each other and forming a dense high beam. The plume is similar to that of common peacocks. The females of these two species are very similar.
Javanese peacock lives in Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula to Java.
Peacocks raised in captivity become completely tame. They are kept by some Vietnamese bird lovers at home in the courtyard. Unlike the common peacock, the Javan peacock is more aggressive towards its close and distant relatives, so males have to be kept in separate rooms for most of the year.
Females get along well with other pheasant birds. Due to the high aggressiveness of males, breeding of this species in captivity also becomes problematic. Protecting females, males sometimes jump on people, and you have to be careful with them, as they sometimes inflict injuries with their sharp spurs. The male with clipped wings "owns" a not so vast territory, but even with this "limitation" they make jumps of more than 1.8 m in height. Only large gardens or parks are really suitable for keeping these birds.
During the mating season, birds are placed in spacious enclosures with various shelters for females. The clutch is usually six eggs, the duration of incubation is 28 days. Young peacocks develop slowly and move on to an independent life at the age of at least eight weeks.
Male length 180-300 cm, wings 46-54 cm, tail 40-47 cm, train 140-160 cm. It weighs up to 5 kg.
The head and upper part of the neck are brownish-green. The crest consists of feathers with wider webs. The ocular region is bluish-gray in color.
The feathers of the lower part of the neck are green with golden-green borders and have a scaly pattern, the chest and upper back are bluish-green with reddish and yellow spots; the underside of the back is copper-bronze with brown markings, the shoulders and wings are dark green, the primary feathers are brown with black and gray spots on the outer side of the fan.
The tail feathers are light chestnut, and the highly elongated coverts are as bright and similar in color as those of the common peacock, but with a metallic copper-red tint. The beak is black, the legs are gray.
The female differs little in color from the male, but smaller in size.
indian peacock(Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacock. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). The national bird of India is indian peacock(Pavo cristatus) is a brightly colored swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped tuft of feathers on its head, white spots under the eyes, and a long, thin neck. Chest and neck Indian peacock are covered with brilliant blue feathers, and the magnificent tail consists of long bronze-green feathers, of which there are about 200. Domesticated by man.
Body length of a common peacock ( Indian) 100-125 cm, tail 40-50 cm, elongated, decorated with "eyes" feathers of the uppertail 120-160 cm. The male weighs 4-4, 25 kg. The head, neck and part of the chest are blue, the back is green, the bottom of the body is black. The female is smaller, more modestly colored and lacks elongated uppertail feathers.
Lives in large or small flocks. It feeds mainly on plant foods, partly on animals (insects, mollusks, small vertebrates). Hardy and unpretentious in content. Life expectancy is about 20 years.
Polygamous bird: the male lives with a group of 3-5 females. Reaches sexual maturity at two to three years. The breeding season is from April to September.
Lays 4-10 eggs directly on the ground, in captivity makes up to three clutches per year. The egg incubation period is 28 days.
A young male common (Indian) peacock from one year to 1.5 years old wears an outfit similar to that of a female, and typical adult feathers fully develop in him only at the age of three years.
Widely distributed in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level, lives in the jungle and woodlands, on cultivated lands and near villages, preferring thickets of bushes, forest clearings and river banks.
By the beginning of the 20th century, peacocks were kept relatively rarely to decorate bird yards and parks, since it was believed that their unpleasant voice and the damage they caused in gardens did not correspond to the pleasure delivered by its appearance. It is now often kept as an ornamental bird; in India - in a semi-domestic state.
In captivity, the common peacock is not particularly prolific, always retains a certain amount of independence, does not get along well with the rest of the poultry, but it can withstand even quite severe cold, suffering little from snow.
In India, hunting for peacocks is prohibited by law, but poachers hunt them for their beautiful feathers, as well as meat, which is mixed with chicken or turkey when sold.
white peacock. White peacock, or Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) is the most numerous species of peacocks. It is a monotypic species, that is, it is not divided into subspecies, but it has a number of color variations (mutations). Domesticated by man.
This variety of common peacock lives in southern India and Sri Lanka, has a brilliant white plumage with various shades and points on the wings; tail feathers are also completely white with large white spots separated by shade at the ends. The beak and legs of a white peacock are reddish. white peacock- like a bride who "acts like a peahen." Birds of this color have a very special charm: blue "eyes" in pure white plumage.
Characteristic of the male white peacock is a strong development of upper covert feathers
The food of peacocks consists of seeds, tender shoots of plants and invertebrates.. They willingly feed on the fields with seedlings of cultivated cereals, and when the berries ripen, they eat them in large quantities. Peacocks are able to catch and eat snakes or swallow small rodents.
These birds breed at different times depending on the geographical location of the area. In the south, the nesting season begins at the end of the rainy period, and in the north it lasts from April to July. Males protect a nesting area up to 1 ha, but females do not recognize its boundaries. The male has up to 3-5 females, which, after mating, leave him, arrange a nest under a bush or near uprooted tree roots and lay 5-7 large yellowish-white eggs. The basis of marital relations among peacocks is mating, harems break up after mating, and males do not participate in incubation and rearing of chicks.
Peacocks belong to one of the most beautiful and largest birds, so people paid attention to them in ancient times. Already in the parks of the Roman Caesars, they were kept as decorative birds, and meat seasoned with various spices was served on the table during the feast. And at present, peacocks are kept in parks and gardens as decorative birds.
Peacocks make loud, harsh calls that not everyone can bear.. Therefore, despite the beauty, these birds are rarely kept at home, but still lovers living in the southern regions of our country, especially in the Caucasus, give birth to peacocks.
Despite the prescription of domestication, the peacock is almost no different from its ancestors. In addition to birds with the usual color, there are only varieties with pure white plumage or with brown spots scattered over a white background with blue and purple edging. Sometimes such birds can be found in some areas and in the wild.
Peacocks easily tolerate acclimatization, are unpretentious to the conditions of detention, and are insensitive to rain and cold. In the south of our country, both in winter and in summer, they can spend the night on a tree or perch in the open. Only in especially severe winters they need to be kept in an insulated barn, however, in winter during the daytime, birds can be let out for a walk. Hobbyists need to know that peacocks can't get along with pheasants, domestic chickens and other chickens and can beat them to death.
Adult peacocks should be fed the same as domestic chickens. They willingly eat grain, root crops, meat, bread and other food. To keep birds, specially equipped enclosures are needed, in which high poles (up to 2-3 m) should be installed or trees should be planted. It is good to arrange a roof over the poles so that the birds can hide from rain and sun.
Domestic peacocks are easy to breed, but at the same time, one male should not have more than 3-4 females. Females start laying, depending on the weather, from April or May until the end of July. If eggs are taken all the time, up to 30 eggs can be collected from one female. In order for them to rush in one place, and not scatter eggs around the aviary, you need to build a nest in a secluded place - put a basket or box, and cover the bottom with straw.
Sometimes the female lays an egg while sitting on a perch, and it falls to the ground and breaks. In such cases, a thick layer of sawdust or sand is poured under the perch, but such eggs are unsuitable for hatching chicks (they can only be used for food).
For incubation, eggs should be placed under turkeys or chickens.. Female peacocks usually do not incubate well, but if one of them brought out the chicks, she warms them, looks for food for them and sleeps with them on a bough of a tree or perch. In cold rainy weather, they climb under her plumage so that only heads on a long neck peek out from there.
Immediately after hatching, the chicks are very tender: they are afraid of cold, dampness, rain and bright sun, so their care must be more thorough than for ordinary pheasant chicks. You need to feed the peacocks on the very first day of their life, as soon as they dry under the hen. The food for chicks is the same as for pheasants or chickens of domestic chickens, but with the addition of small mealworms and fresh herbs at first. As the chicks grow up, they are given millet grains, crushed wheat, barley, and oatmeal. At the age of 2 months. they already eat the same as adult peacocks, love berries and sweet fruits, consume animal feed: leftover meat, meat powder, curdled milk, insects and their larvae. Meat powder is given to them mixed with bread crumbs, pounded with hard-boiled eggs and flour, diluted with water. It is also very good to give boiled rice or millet porridge mixed with finely chopped onions or nettles.
A male peacock is a decoration of a park or home yard. Dressed in luxurious multi-colored plumage, he proudly walks in front of the females, shakes and moves his feathers, makes a slight rustle, spreads the elongated feathers of the upper tail like a fan. Mating postures and dances during the current last 15-20 minutes, in the rest of the year they are expressed in the same, but more short-term postures. The intensity of mating behavior is affected by the state of the weather: males are especially willing to lek in cool weather.
In September, peacocks molt. The male loses almost all the feathers of the rump, but still remains very beautiful. He keeps himself at this time more calmly.
PEACOCK - a symbol of pride, an emblem of beauty and immortality. In many countries, the peacock was considered a royal bird, and Hindus revere it as sacred. In the homeland of the peacock, in South Asia, it is highly valued for the fact that it warns of the approach of tigers, snakes and thunderstorms. It is believed that due to the beauty of its plumage, the peacock is able to "process" the poison of the snake struck by it.
In Russia, a completely different attitude has developed towards peacocks due to the fact that only rich people could breed them. Therefore, only in the Russian mind did the peacock become a symbol of arrogance and arrogance. The expression "spread its tail like a peacock" acquired the meaning of not only courtship, but also vanity, feigned pride.
According to Greek myth, the peacock was associated with the wife of Zeus, Hera. When Hermes killed the hundred-eyed Argos by lulling him to sleep by playing the flute, Hera revived him by transferring the eyes of Argos to the plumage of a peacock. Among the Romans, the peacock became an attribute of Juno, for which the Amoretti, winged babies, collected "eyes" from its tail. On Roman coins, the peacock was depicted as a sign of the divinity of the daughters of the emperor.
In early Christianity, the image of a peacock was associated with the symbolism of the sun and began to be perceived as a symbol of immortality, like a turtle in the East, and the beauty of an imperishable soul. In the Christian tradition, the "eyes" of the peacock sometimes symbolize the "all-seeing" Church. Since this bird periodically renews its plumage, it became a symbol of immortality, as well as resurrection, since there was a belief that its flesh did not rot, even after lying in the ground for three days. The peacock is also an attribute of the Christian Great Martyr Barbara (III century) and the allegory of Pride.
Peacock- the solar bird of India, a symbol of many gods, in particular the Buddha. At the level of Eastern emblematics, a peacock tail fan was considered a symbol of suffering and was an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, one of the main bodhisattvas of the Buddhist tradition. In China, during the Ming Dynasty, such a fan was awarded for high merit in the service of the emperor. In Islam, the "eye" of the peacock is associated with the "eye of the heart" and therefore with inner vision. The Indian god of love, Kama, was often depicted sitting on a peacock, which symbolizes passionate desires.
This idea of passion finds its echo in the world of butterflies, where a male night peacock moth can scent a female several kilometers away. The pattern of his wings, reminiscent of numerous eyes, was perceived in Indian mythology as a picture of the starry sky. The symbolism of two peacocks on both sides of the cosmic tree came from ancient Persia to the Muslims, and from them to the West, and means the psychic duality of a person who draws his strength from the principle of unity.
The tail of a peacock, including all the colors of the rainbow, was perceived as a universal symbol. For example, in Islam, the tail of a peacock, revealed in all its beauty, meant either the universe, or the full moon or the sun at its zenith. The peacock's tail appears in the 84th emblem of Bosch's "Symbolic Art" as an idea of the whole and a sign of the union of all colors.
In alchemy, the “peacock's tail” is the second stage of the “great work”, when the “black of blacks” is covered with all the colors of the rainbow. In the alternation of the time of day, the peacock corresponds to twilight. With a snake in its beak, it signifies the victory of light over darkness.
In some countries, the peacock is considered a harbinger of trouble. Its feathers are called "the eyes of the devil" and "warn" of the appearance of a traitor. The most common superstition in England is that peacock feathers should not be kept at home: a catastrophe may befall the owner or his daughters will not marry. It is believed that the presence of a peacock on the stage can lead to the failure of the play. Perhaps all these prejudices are explained by the fact that the ever-open "eye" in the peacock feather is associated with the evil eye and, therefore, with bad luck.
In heraldry, the peacock was depicted with loose plumage, which in the language of heraldry, "blazon", was called "a peacock in its pride."
The peacock's tail, in particular, appears in the eighty-fourth emblem of Bosch's "Symbolic Art" as a symbol of the mixture of all colors, as well as the idea of the whole. This explains why in Christian art it acts as a symbol of immortality and the incorruptible soul.
In Hindu mythology, the pattern of its wings, resembling countless eyes, is said to represent the starry sky.
A solar symbol associated with the cult of the tree and the Sun, as well as with the peon. Symbolizes immortality, longevity, love. A natural symbol of the stars in the sky and, as a result, ascension to Heaven and immortality. Associated with the storm, as he becomes restless before the rain, and his dance during the rain reflects the symbolism of the spiral. Loquacity, swagger, and vanity are relatively late connotations. Buddhism: compassion and vigilance. A fan of peacock feathers is an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, who is also identified with Kwan-yin and Amitabha, as a symbol of compassion. China: dignity, high rank, beauty. Attribute of Kuan-yin and Si Wan-Mu. The peacock feather was awarded upon receiving a high rank for merit and meant the favor of the emperor. Emblem of the Ming dynasty.
Christianity: immortality, resurrection, the soul glorified before the Lord, as the peacock renews its plumage, and its meat was considered incorruptible. "One Hundred Eyes" of the All-Seeing Church. It also symbolizes saints, since its tail resembles a halo. A peacock sitting on a sphere or power personified the ability to rise above worldly things. His pen is the emblem of Saint Barbara.
However, on the other hand, the Christian doctrine of a humble life led to the fact that the sins of pride, luxury and vanity began to be identified with the image of the peacock, therefore, in Western art, the peacock is most often the personification of Pride. In Russia, there was such an attitude towards peacocks: since only a very wealthy person could afford to breed these rare birds, all the qualities that were hated in the master were transferred to the "master's bird". Therefore, in Russia, the peacock is an emblem of arrogance, complacency and arrogance.
Ancient Greece: solar symbol, symbol of the bird-god Phaon "shaking". Initially - an attribute of Pan, then borrowed by the Hero as a symbol of the starry vault. The eyes of Argus were scattered by Hera over his tail. Hinduism: sometimes - the mount of Brahma; the peacock is also ridden by Lakshmi and the war god Skanda-Karttikeya; when the god of love Kama sits astride it, this symbolizes an impatient desire. The peacock is the emblem of the goddess of wisdom, music and poetry Saraswati. In Iran, peacocks standing on both sides of the Tree of Life signify dualism and the dual nature of man. It also symbolizes royal power: the throne of the Persian shahs was called the “peacock throne”. Islam: the light that "saw the self like a peacock with its tail spread". The eye of the peacock is associated with the Eye of the Heart. The Japanese Bodhisattva Kujaku-Mae always sits on a peacock. Rome: the bird of Juno with the same meaning as - in the case of Hera. Emblem of the Empress and daughters of the Emperor.
An ornamental bird originating from India, where it is, thanks to its luxurious fan-shaped tail. considered a symbol of the sun.
through Babylon. Persia and Asia Minor, she reached Samos and became a sacred bird there in the temple of Hera. In the 5th c. BC. in Athens, peacocks as an exotic rarity were shown for money, and in the 2nd century. BC. in Rome they were the sacred birds of Juno.
In India, some gods were depicted riding peacocks.
In the West, the peacock was considered a slayer of snakes, and the iridescent colors of the tail were attributed to its ability to turn snake venom into solar substance.
In the East, the Yezidi Kurdish sect (“devil worshipers”) view the peacock as Melek Taus (King Peacock), the messenger of God: in Islam, it is considered a symbol of the cosmos or the large celestial bodies of the Sun and Moon.
In early Christianity, positive interpretations of the peacock were also preferred. Its meat was considered incorruptible (a symbol of Christ in the tomb), the loss of feathers and their new growth in the spring was equally seen as a symbol of renewal and resurrection. The ancient folk belief continued to operate, according to which the blood of a peacock casts out demons. Quite often, the peacock was depicted in the images of the grotto in Bethlehem, where Christ was born: two peacocks that drink from the same cup indicate spiritual rebirth, and cherubs often find four wings of peacock feathers. The "eyes" of peacocks were understood as an indication of divine omniscience, peacock meat until modern times was considered food that gives strength to the sick. Negative traits are noted in the text of the early Christian Physiologus: The peacock “walks about, looks at himself with pleasure and shakes his plumage, puts on airs and looks arrogantly around him. But if he looks at his paws, he will scream angrily, because they do not match the rest of his appearance. If a Christian, such is the symbolic interpretation, sees his own virtues, he may rejoice; “But when you see your feet, namely your flaws, then turn to God with a complaint and hate injustice, as a peacock hates his paws, so that you appear before the (heavenly) justified bridegroom.”
This launches into circulation the symbolic meaning that is usual for today, which since the Middle Ages in books about animals ("Bestiaries") makes the peacock a bird symbolizing vanity, luxury and arrogance (arrogance). This also meant a spiritual preacher. “When a peacock is praised, he raises and spreads his tail, just as another preacher, when praised by flatterers, exalts his spirit in vain majesty. If he raises his tail, then his bottom is exposed, and he becomes a laughing stock when he swaggers arrogantly. This means that the peacock must keep its tail low, so that everything that the teacher does, humbly fulfill ”(Unterkircher). In the Baroque era, in the images of scenes of the Way of the Cross to Golgotha, Jesus, stripped of his clothes, atones for people for the sin of vanity, which is represented by a peacock placed nearby.
Among the minnesingers, this bird was considered the embodiment and personification of arrogance, arrogant pride (“He walked proudly back and forth, just like a peacock,” Hugo Trimbergsky).
In China, a positive interpretation was borrowed from the Indian region (Goddess Saraswati rides a peacock, Indra sits on a peacock throne), the peacock personifies beauty and dignity, drives out evil forces and dances at the sight of beautiful women. Peacock feathers were the hallmark of the Manchu emperor and were exhibited in vases. Peacocks were also kept in the Chinese garden.
In the figurative world of alchemy, the iridescent peacock's tail in some texts and images is considered a sign of the emerging transformation of lower substances into higher ones. in others - a symbol of an unsuccessful process, which brings with it only slag (caput mortuum - a dead head).
In heraldry, the peacock appears only occasionally (for example, the heraldic figure of the counts von Wied, the treasure helmet of the counts von Ortenburg, the peacock tail as the treasure helmet of the archdukes of Austria, the peacock fan as an adornment of the heraldic helmets of the princes von Schwarzenberg, the counts von Henneberg, etc.), and , naturally, a positive interpretation of the image of a peacock (resurrection, radiance) was assumed here.
Shining glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility, pride.
The sparkling splendor of the tail of the male peacock is the reason for comparing him with the immortal gods, and therefore with immortality.
Since snakes were considered enemies of the sun in Iranian symbolism, the peacock was believed to kill snakes in order to use their saliva to create iridescent bronze-green and blue-gold "eyes" on its tail feathers. Added to this legend was the idea that peacock meat is indestructible.
In Islamic decorative art, the unity of opposites (the sun at its zenith next to the full moon) was depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree.
Peacocks are widely known as an emblem of greatness, royalty, spiritual superiority, an ideal creation.
In Persia, the shah's court was called the "peacock throne".
From here, from the East, the image of a peacock or simply a peacock feather in a knight's hat came to Europe as a symbol of his high moral thoughts.
Some contradiction can be seen in the fact that the Indian Mars, the god of war Kartikeya, the son of the wise Shiva, rides a peacock, but in fact there is no contradiction here: if you read the ancient Indian books on military art, we will see that then there will be no war. were a means of mass extermination of people, which were the wars of the 20th century - rather, they were tournaments, something similar to knightly competitions in Europe.
They tried to make these competitions as magnificent and spectacular as possible. Often, as if everything proceeded according to a pre-arranged scenario, a bloody fight between representatives of deadly warring clans ended suddenly with the betrothal of a young man and a girl from both clans and a holiday that could last for weeks.
Symbolism and a deep perception of the surrounding world are combined in Art Nouveau with surprisingly expressive and beautiful external forms and images that are not often considered from the point of view of philosophy. When I studied at the university, it was customary to talk about Modern as a bourgeois, superficially overly aestheticized and superficial style. In fact, the choice of subjects in the era of Art Nouveau was absolutely not accidental and deeply thought out, because all the artists who worked then, with rare exceptions, had a deep academic education, which involved knowledge of both mythology and symbolism. If we take into account the general enthusiasm for the culture of the East, at that time, then we can imagine what an interesting cultural and historical mix underlies the philosophy of Art Nouveau.
Peacock - symbolizes the colorful diversity of the world. The peacock is often made the personification of infinite diversity, a cheerful spirit with which God created this earth, having fun as he wanted.
In Indian mythology, when Krishna and Radha - two incarnations of the god Vishnu - dance and play in the eternal joy of love, peacocks look at them. There are cult toys, for example: Krishna and Radha swing on a swing, and again we see peacocks on the swing posts. The motley peacock seems to be telling us: no matter how hard life is, no matter what unpleasant surprises it brings us, it is inevitable, we must find joy in life and believe that its diversity will always allow us to find a positive edge. At the Indian court, the peacock always accompanied the image of both deities - Krishna and Radha - and was a symbol of an exemplary life of love and beauty.
In heraldry, the peacock is depicted with loose plumage. In "blazon" (the language of heraldry) it is called "a peacock in its pride".
Tausin - peacock stone (from the Persian "tausi") was called labradorite in Russia for its resemblance to the play of peacock plumage. The nobility of St. Petersburg wore rings, rings and snuff boxes made of this stone, and the ladies showed outfits made of iridescent "taausin" silk. However, the “tausine fashion” lasted until 1835, when the discovery of the richest labradorite deposit in Ukraine depreciated this mineral.
sources
http://www.zoopicture.ru
http://zooclub.ru
http://miragro.com
Dictionary Dahl
White plumage is one of the most beautiful mutations in peacocks. In Indian mythology, albinos are considered a symbol of spirituality. How this royal bird behaves in nature, where it lives, and how the mating season goes for peacocks can be found in this article. It also provides recommendations on the maintenance of white peacocks in the private sector.
History of the species and main characteristics
The history of the species begins in 1822, when the white Indian peacock was first seen in the wild. Immediately after the discovery, the beautiful bird began to be tamed.
Peacocks belong to the pheasant order. In nature, there are 2 types of peacocks - Indian and green. The white peacock is a variation of the Indian species.
White peacocks are adapted to the cold. In an aviary with birds, you should not populate other types of birds, since in this case squabbles are inevitable.
External signs and differences
The white color of the plumage is not related to albino and is a genetic modification. But the bird is still called an albino.
The female has a snow-white plumage, and the outlines of eyes are visible on the tail feathers of the male. Eye color is dark blue in males and blue in females. The chicks of these birds are born yellow with white wings. You can distinguish a peacock from a peahen at an early age by the length of its paws - in females they are shorter.
Birds mature at the age of two, when white plumage completely replaces yellow feathers. Males differ from females in the long and shaped tail - in the male it is long and thick. Such a "fan" does not prevent the peacock from moving and even flying.
- Albinos have:
- Strong physique;
- small head;
- Short wings, tightly pressed to the body;
- long neck;
- The crest is shaped like a crown;
- Body length - 120 cm;
- Weight - 4.5 kg.
- The tail without a train is not longer than 50 cm;
- Long feathers 170 cm long.
A domesticated bird, unlike a wild one, weighs more and has short limbs.
Habitat and lifestyle in the natural environment
Locations and behavior
The natural habitat of white peacocks is the territory of such countries as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam and China.
Albinos prefer to settle in places where you can eat fresh grass and leaves - in forests, in thickets of shrubs, near fields cultivated by humans.
These birds can often be found on the slopes of mountains rich in vegetation. They also like places where there are small bodies of water. The flock can settle at an altitude of up to 2000 meters above sea level. Albinos spend most of their time on the ground.
Birds live in small flocks. Peacock activity peaks during daylight hours. When it gets dark, the birds climb the trees, where they spend the night.
Nutrition in nature
White peacocks are unpretentious in food and eat almost everything. The basis of the white peacock's diet in its natural environment is seeds, berries and nuts, insects, rodents and small snakes. Birds are happy to eat vegetables from agricultural land - cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers. They can go to a rice, peanut or banana field. Albinos do not disdain human waste.
Reproduction in nature
In the third year of life, birds reach puberty and begin to participate in reproduction. The albino peacock is polygamous; to continue the genus, the birds create a family of 1 male and several females (up to 5 individuals). The mating season begins in April and ends in September. An albino peacock spreads its tail, attracting the attention of females. The courtship ritual is also accompanied by the rustling of feathers and a courtship dance.
When the seduced peahen responds to the advances of the male, the process of building a nest begins. For these purposes, birds choose small pits, cover them with leaves and branches. In exceptional cases, the female lays her eggs on the ground. One clutch consists of several eggs (from 4 to 10 pieces). The hatching process lasts a little less than a month.
Downsizing
The number of white peacock is rapidly declining. In India, there are only 100,000 common peacocks, of which only 7% are albinos. The laws of the country provide for punishment for the extermination of birds, but the hunt for peacocks continues. Poachers are interested in beautiful bird feathers and their meat, which is sold along with turkey and chicken.
The reduction in numbers is also due to the presence of natural enemies in nature. White peacocks are the prey of such predators as the leopard, tiger, as well as large birds.
Aviary equipment
Unpretentious and hardy peacocks are widespread in our country. For their maintenance, it is necessary to prepare an aviary, the dimensions of which should not be less than 5 meters in length and 3 meters in height. At a height of 1.5 meters, perches are arranged for albinos. It is also necessary to have a drinking bowl, a feeder and a container with ash, chalk or gravel. For breeding birds, it is better to populate them with families - 1 male and 3-4 females. Neighborhood with representatives of other species for a white peacock is highly undesirable.
Feeding
Omnivorous peacocks take grain feed and vegetable crops well. Breeders often focus on the diet of chickens, which is also suitable for peacocks.
Normally, an adult peacock per day needs:
- 50 g chopped corn;
- 40 g of oats or barley;
- 50 g flour and alfalfa;
- 10 g sunflower cake;
- 90 g of grain waste;
- 100 g of root crops and vegetables.
Greens, salt and chalk are used as additives.
The menu can include boiled cereals and crackers, as well as Colorado beetles and other pests. Sometimes you should pamper your pets with berries and fruits.
Peacock breeding
The mating season of white peacocks, which are kept in captivity, is not much different from breeding in the natural environment.
The breeder needs to select exclusively white individuals for families. This will result in healthy white offspring. To obtain a mixed hybrid color, a color pair is selected for a white peacock.
It is also important to prepare the nests, as the birds may not take care of this on their own. Pava may also refuse to incubate, so the eggs will need to be transferred under the chicken or placed in an incubator.