National Bird of India — भारत का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी (Indian Peacock)
The national bird of India is the Indian Peacock (Pavo cristatus). भारत का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी मोर है। यह घोषणा 26 जनवरी 1963 को हुई थी। On this page you will find the complete story — why peacock was chosen over other candidates like the Great Indian Bustard and Sarus Crane, cultural significance across Hindu-Buddhist-Jain traditions, physical description, protection laws, and 10 fascinating facts — in both English and Hindi.
आवाज़ का विवरण (transcript)
मोर की आवाज़ Loud 'me-aaw' call heard up to 1 km — often before monsoon rains / तेज़ 'मे-आँव' पुकार, बारिश से पहले सुनाई देती है इस रिकॉर्डिंग में आप उसी विशिष्ट पुकार को साफ़ सुन सकते हैं, जिससे मोर (Indian Peafowl) को दूर से भी पहचाना जा सकता है।
रिकॉर्डिंग: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
Quick Answer / संक्षिप्त उत्तर
The national bird of India is the Indian Peacock (Pavo cristatus), declared on 26 January 1963. भारत का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी मोर है, जिसे 26 जनवरी 1963 को घोषित किया गया।
Why the Peacock? / मोर ही क्यों?
In 1960, a committee was formed to decide India's national bird. Several candidates were considered — the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan), Sarus Crane, Brahminy Kite, and Peacock. The peacock won for four main reasons: (1) It is distributed across the entire country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. (2) It is easily recognisable to every Indian, even in villages. (3) It has deep roots in Indian mythology — Lord Kartikeya's vahana, Krishna's crown feather, associated with Saraswati. (4) It represents grace, pride, and beauty. The Great Indian Bustard was actually a strong contender, but its English name 'Bustard' sounded too close to a vulgar English word, so the peacock was chosen instead.
Physical Description / शारीरिक विवरण
The male Indian Peacock is 100–115 cm long and weighs 4–6 kg. Its head, neck and breast are iridescent blue. The back has bronze-green feathers, and the most striking feature is the 'train' — over 200 elongated upper-tail-covert feathers with eye-like markings called ocelli (चंद्रक). The colours are structural — created by microscopic crystalline layers that scatter light — not by pigment. That is why the shade shifts as the viewing angle changes. The female (peahen / मोरनी) is smaller, mottled brown, and lacks the long train — this camouflage protects her while incubating eggs.
Cultural Significance / सांस्कृतिक महत्व
The peacock appears throughout Indian art, mythology, and daily life. Lord Kartikeya rides a peacock. Lord Krishna wears a peacock feather in his crown. Goddess Saraswati is often depicted with one. The Mughal emperors named their most famous throne 'Takht-e-Taus' — the Peacock Throne. In Sanskrit literature (Kalidasa's Meghadūta), the peacock's monsoon dance is a poetic staple. Folk arts across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu feature peacock motifs in embroidery, textiles, and dance.
Protection Under Law / क़ानूनी सुरक्षा
The Indian Peacock is listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — the highest category of legal protection in India. Hunting, killing, capturing, or selling a peacock (or its parts including feathers, except naturally shed feathers under controlled conditions) is a punishable offence with imprisonment up to 7 years and heavy fines. India also has a strict CITES Appendix-III listing that regulates international trade.
10 Fascinating Facts / 10 रोचक तथ्य
1. Peacocks can fly — despite their weight, they can fly short distances and roost on trees at night. 2. Their call ('me-aaw') can be heard from 1 km away. 3. Peacocks eat snakes, scorpions, lizards — natural pest controllers. 4. Feathers moult every year after monsoon and grow back fresh. 5. Males have around 200 train feathers. 6. Life expectancy: 15–20 years in wild, up to 40 in captivity. 7. Peacock has been on Indian stamps since 1949. 8. Peacocks 'dance' primarily during monsoon (July–September) as courtship. 9. Peahens choose males based on the number of eye-spots on the train. 10. The Indian Peacock is different from the Green Peacock (Pavo muticus) found in Southeast Asia.
और पढ़ें — संबंधित ब्लॉग
हिंदी में और पढ़ें
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
Which is the national bird of India?
The national bird of India is the Indian Peacock, scientific name Pavo cristatus. It was officially declared the national bird on 26 January 1963 by the Government of India.
Why was the peacock chosen as India's national bird?
The peacock was chosen because it is found across the entire country, is easily recognisable to every Indian, has deep cultural and religious significance in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, and represents grace, pride, and beauty.
When was the peacock declared national bird of India?
The Indian Peacock was declared the national bird of India on 26 January 1963 (Republic Day) by the Government of India after considering several candidates including the Great Indian Bustard, Sarus Crane, and Brahminy Kite.
भारत का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी कौन है?
भारत का राष्ट्रीय पक्षी मोर (Indian Peacock, वैज्ञानिक नाम Pavo cristatus) है। भारत सरकार ने 26 जनवरी 1963 को इसे राष्ट्रीय पक्षी घोषित किया था।
Is peacock protected in India?
Yes. The Indian Peacock is listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which gives it the highest level of legal protection. Hunting, capturing, killing, or trading peacocks or their feathers is a punishable offence.
Which country's national bird is peacock other than India?
The Indian Peacock is the national bird of India only. Sri Lanka has the Sri Lankan Junglefowl, and Nepal has the Himalayan Monal as their national birds.