Description
:The male Indian Peacock, commonly known as the peacock, is one of the most recognizable birds in the world. Each of these feathers spots an ornamental ocellus, or eye-spot, and has long disintegrated barbs, giving the feathers a loose, fluffy appearance. When displaying to a female, the peacock erects this train into a spectacular fan, displaying the ocelli to their best advantage.
The great beauty and popularity of the Indian Peafowl has guaranteed its protection throughout nost of its native and introduced ranges. It is the national bird of India. The peacock is prominent in the mythology and floklore of the Indian people. The Hindus consider the bird to be sacred because the god Kartikeya (son of the Lord Shiva and Parvati and brother to the god Ganesh) rides on its back. Legends hold that the peacock can charm snakes and addle their eggs.
Greek mythology describes how the peacock acquired the many eyes in his ornamental train. The goddess Hera had a beautiful priestess named lo. lo was greatly admired by Zeus. To protect her from Hera's jealousy Zeus transformed lo into a heifer. Hera tricked Zeus into giving the heifer to her as a gift and set her faithful servant Argus to watch over her. Argus had numerous eyes all over his body, making him a natural choice for the assignment. Zeus sent the god Hermes to free lo from Her's watchman. Hermes charmed Argus to sleep until all of his eyes were closed and then killed him. To honor her faithful watchman, Hera took Argu's eyes and placed them on the tail of the peacock.
Diet:
Foods include grains, insects, small reptiles, small mammals, berries, drupes, wild figs, and some cultivated crops.
