The peacock is the most beautiful of all the birds. it is to love it to look at it. It is the national bird of our country.
Its Appearance :
It is a beautiful bird to look at it. It has a graceful neck. On its head there is a crest. It has a bright shining tail. There are violet eye-like spot ton its tail feathers. Its feathers are a source of great delight. The color of the peacock is dark blue.
Where Found :
Peacocks are found in the wild state. They are found in many parts of India. The peacock is generally seen in India, Ceylon, Java, Borneo and Malaya. the Javan peacock is more beautiful than an Indian peacock. The crest of a Javan peacock is higher and more brightly colored than that of the Indian. It generally lives in gardens. It is found also in places where there are large groves of trees.
Food and Habits :
The peacock eats fruits, seeds, grains, worms and insects, etc. it is a great enemy of snakes. Wherever it sees them, it kills them. Peacocks live in flocks in their in their wild state. One flock generally consists of two or three hundred. They can run very swiftly. They can fly but not to great distances.
A Cloudy Day :
When the sky is overcast in the rainy season the peacocks feel very happy. Thrills of joy through the peacock's heart. Such a weather makes it wild with joy. On such occasion it spreads its feather on its back. It begins to dance. its feathers open like a fan. Then it looks very beautiful. It jumps from one tree to the other. At the time of dance it raises its tail and changes it into a semi-circular shape. The sound of peacock is very shrill.
Its Eggs :
The peahen lays its eggs in grace. The eggs are hatched in a month's time. The feathers grow three times. It is only the third time that beutiful feather come out.
Kinds of Peacock :
There are two kinds of peacocks- the garden peacocks and the jungle peacocks. The garden peacock is a pet bird. It can fly to a very small distance. The jungle peacock lives in flock. It can run very fast. But one thing is common to both. Both have a harsh voice.
Its Usefulness :
The peacock is a great pet with rich people. some people eat its flesh. It is very heating food. It is generally eaten in winter. It is very dangerous to take it in rainy seasons, because it causes blood poisoning or leprosy. Its feathers are very costly. They are made into fans. The quills of the of the peacock are used for writing.
The peacock is very much afraid of tigers and foxes. When it sees any tiger coming near, it begins to run away from it. By seeing a flock of peacocks running away, the travelers guesses the near approach of a tiger. The Hindus consider the peacock a sacred bird. According to Hindus it is the carrier of God Kartikeya.