The Peacock, Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, is the national bird of India. It is a symbol of grace, joy, beauty and love. Peacock is a large and majestic bird. It is a colorful, swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head, a white patch under the eye and a long-slender neck. The male of the species is more colorful than the female with a glistening blue breast and neck and a spectacular bronze-green tail of around 200 elongated feathers.
Peacock occupies a respectable position in Indian culture and is protected not only by religious sentiments but also by parliamentary statute. It is fully protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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