“In the proud beauty of the peacock is the greatness of God”
(William Blake)
“The sparrow feels sorry for the peacock because he has such a heavy tail.”
(Rabindranath Tagore)
“Under the most beautiful peacock tail hides the most ordinary chicken ass. So less pathos, gentlemen"
(Faina Ranevskaya)
Peacocks (pheasant family, Galliformes order) are rightfully considered one of the most magnificent birds in nature, thanks to the huge fan-shaped ocellated “tail” that males spread in courtship dances in front of females, and also sometimes scare off enemies with this “many-eyed” train.
The peacock's highly developed covert feathers, which have been an object of human hunting for a long time, are mistaken for a beautiful tail. These luxurious feathers were used to decorate the hats and helmets of medieval knights, and rich ladies often decorated their ceremonial outfits with them.
Peacocks are large birds: their body length reaches 100-120 cm, tail 40-50 cm, elongated ocellated rump reaches 120-160 cm. The average weight of males is 4.5-5.0 kg.
The males are very elegant and brightly colored: their head, neck and part of the chest are blue; the back is golden-green; the plumage of the wings is bright orange, and the underside of the body is black. The bird's small head is located on a graceful long neck and is decorated with an elegant crest, similar to a crown with bells.
Female peacocks are smaller in size, their plumage is inconspicuous (gray and brown tones), and their tail is devoid of elongated rump feathers.
The most common species in nature is the common (or Indian, or crested) peacock; this monotypic species has a number of color mutations, the main ones being white and black-winged.
The distribution range of the common peacock is India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh.
A less numerous species is the Javan peacock (with three subspecies - Indochinese green, Javan green and Burmese green). The Javan peacock is found in Java, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and southern China.
Peacocks usually inhabit forests and shrubby areas close to water bodies, avoiding long open spaces. Peacock habitats are often located at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level. They also often settle near slopes covered with tall grass with isolated tall trees (peacocks use them for roosting) or near developed fields, feeding on agricultural seeds.
Peacocks spend most of their lives on the ground, quickly and deftly making their way through forest thickets and rummaging in the ground, which is typical for all chickens. The long tail does not hamper their movements at all. Peacocks are very cautious and timid birds; in case of danger, they flee or hide in the bushes, and their bright plumage is a good camouflage in the multi-colored tropical forest.
Peacocks have small wings, they fly heavily and reluctantly, and their strange flight is sometimes compared to the flight of dragons.
Peacocks have a loud and harsh voice. Their calls (similar to squeals or cat cries) can most often be heard before approaching rains and in moments of danger. Interestingly, peacocks remain silent during mating dances, but scientists have discovered that these birds can communicate using infrasound signals that are inaccessible to the human ear.
In the jungle, peacocks mainly feed on the ground - grains, fruits and plant shoots. They often feed in farmers' fields, however, since these birds also destroy harmful shellfish, snakes (including young cobras that are dangerous to people) and rodents, villagers are tolerant of peacocks. These birds also eat large insects, frogs and lizards.
Peacocks are polygamous birds - one male lives with a group of 3-5 females. These birds become sexually mature at the age of 2-3 years. Their breeding season is from January to April (Sri Lanka) or April to September (India). The female usually lays 4-10 eggs in a small hole covered with grass. Only the mother incubates the clutch, and the chicks are born after about a month.
Parents carefully look after the little chicks, carefully hiding them from predators in dense vegetation. At the age of one month, young peacocks leave their secluded shelter and go out to open areas forests. Already in the second month of life, their gender can be determined by their plumage, but males acquire bright plumage and a long tail only after three years.
Natural enemies of peacocks are tigers and leopards.
IN wildlife Peacocks live about 20 years.
History of peacock domestication
People appreciated the luxurious beauty of peacocks four thousand years ago. The first mentions of the domestication of peacocks come from India, where the peacock is now considered a national symbol.
In ancient Sanskrit books, peacocks were called “the pride of the creator.” Before his birth, Buddha was considered a golden peacock and was often depicted riding this bird; in addition, in the Buddhist religion, the peacock is considered a symbol of compassion and carries the souls of dead people to heaven.
Also, temples and ritual objects dedicated to the god Krishna are decorated with images of peacocks and many myths and fairy tales are dedicated to them.
In India, peacocks were considered sacred birds for followers of Hinduism, but pagans, Christians and Muslims treated them without any respect
These beautiful birds were imported from India at great expense and were considered the main decoration of the parks and gardens of Babylon.
Also in the 5th century, peacocks were brought to Greece by the armies of Alexander the Great and were revered there as sacred birds to the goddess Hera. All Asian names for peacock are borrowed from Greek language. This amazing bird was mentioned in Aesop's fable, an ancient Greek play on the bird by Aristophanes
In Rome, the future was predicted by the behavior of peacocks and they were worshiped as the birds of the goddess Juno, although the rich Romans widely consumed peacock meat as food.
Introduced peacocks began to be widely bred on islands near Italy until their supply greatly exceeded demand and the birds fell in price. By the end of the 2nd century, Rome was overflowing with these exotic birds.
The peacock was brought to Europe from Rome and Christians revered it as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ.
However, in Europe, peacock meat was eaten and considered a delicacy until the 15th century, when it began to be replaced by turkey after the discovery of America.
Additionally, these exotic birds were widely kept in captivity in Egypt, Assyria and Arabia and were considered a sign of aristocracy's wealth and power.
In the 12th century, peacocks began to be imported to Japan and China, where they became a symbol of the beauty and wealth of their owners. The peacock even became the emblem of the rulers of the Ming dynasty.
In the 19th century, peacocks were imported into South America, Australia and New Zealand, where they partially went wild and spread into wild forests.
In the 20th century and to this day, peacocks decorated parks and large estates in many countries, and the demand for them continued to increase.
The image of the peacock in art and religion
The peacock has appeared in painting, applied arts, literature and religion for 3,000 years.
In the ancient cultures of India and Iran, the magnificent tail of the peacock was considered a symbol of the all-seeing sun and the eternal cosmic cycles and personified beauty, pride, immortality and fearlessness.
In China, the peacock was a symbol of dignity, glory and greatness, and its feather was awarded upon receiving a high rank for services to the country and meant the favor of the emperor.
In the eastern decorative arts two peacocks under Myrtle Tree were an allegory of two luminaries - the sun at its zenith and the full moon and were a symbol of opposites.
In Ancient Egypt, the peacock was a symbol of Heliopolis, the city in which the temple of the sun was located.
The ancient Persians believed that the fearless peacock used the saliva of the snakes it killed to decorate its tail.
According to ancient Greek legend, the goddess Hera gave the sacred peacock a thousand eyes of the deceased all-seeing Argus.
IN ancient Rome the peacock was considered the emblem of the empress and her daughters, while the eagle was the bird of the emperor.
The important and luxurious peacock is a striking example of how different views on the world can be between representatives different cultures. If in the East it was considered a sacred bird and an ideal divine creature, a symbol of royal greatness and glory, immortality and spiritual superiority, then in the countries of the Christian West people saw the peacock as the embodiment of sinful pride and inflated conceit. In Russia, the peacock was a satirical character in fables, the personification of stupid vanity and narcissism.
The sacred handsome peacock is a symbol of greatness and immortality
5 (100%) 35 votesDescription and features of the peacock
If you triple the beauty contest among birds, then there is no doubt that the first place will be peacock.
It is this bird that surprises us with its unique beauty and splendor, the richness of its decoration. Even by photo of peacock You can judge its charm, but you will get a much greater impression from contemplating this bird with your own eyes.
It is difficult to imagine that this majestic bird is the closest relative of the ordinary domestic chicken, which does not have any “zest” in its appearance.
An ordinary chicken does not have luxurious plumage and unusual color, they do not stand out at all for their charm and beauty, however peacock is a bird unique. But with all this, the fact of kinship is pure truth.
Peacocks belong to the pheasant family, and are part of the order Galliformes. Peculiarity peacock birds is that it is the largest among all representatives of the detachment.
Peacocks are represented by only two species:
1. Common, or crested, or Indian peacock. This species is not divided into subspecies; it is monotypic.
2. Javan peacock. This species includes three subspecies: the Indochinese green peacock, the Javan green peacock and the Burmese green peacock.
As you can see, peacocks cannot boast of a wide variety of species, but their majestic appearance is much more pleasing.
Peacock is quite strong and big bird, on average, a representative of this order weighs about 5 kilograms. The body length is usually a little more than a meter in length.
In this case, the tail plume can be much longer, about 1.5 meters, and sometimes reach two meters. Their head is small and connected to the body by a long neck.
There is a small crest on the head, which is often compared to a crown that crowns the head. The peacock has small wings with which the bird can fly. The legs of these birds are high and quite strong.
None of the behavioral features of ordinary domestic chickens are alien to peacocks; they also quickly move on their paws, make their way through thickets without problems, and rake the top layer of soil.
Home and distinctive feature is a chic fan-shaped peacock tail. It should be noted that only males have long, uniquely beautiful rump feathers. Female representatives have a less chic tail; with them it looks much more modest, since it is devoid of a pattern, and the feathers themselves are somewhat shorter.
While in males the upper coverts have a characteristic “eye” pattern. Peacock feather can be colored in different ways, mainly the color range is represented mainly by green, blue and sandy-red shades.
But there are also species whose feathers are pure white. This pattern and color is very important in the life of a peacock, as it plays a significant role. First of all, it is used as protection and deterrence. When the male notices impending danger in the form of a predator, he spreads his tail. A huge number of “eyes” confuses the attacker.
The tail is used in another important matter, namely, attracting attention from a partner during the mating season in birds. It's playing important role with an increase in the number of offspring and preservation of the species.
The color of the bird's body itself also differs according to gender. Females naturally have gray-brown plumage, while males have a complex and brighter color, rich in colors.
It should also be noted that the peacock is an inspirational bird. Many authors, artists and musicians dedicated their literary creations to the beauty and unique appearance of this bird.
In yoga there is a so-called “ peacock pose", which not everyone can perform, but enchants with its beauty. Admirers of handicrafts also try to reveal all the splendor of this bird in their creations.
For example, origami peacock, or crafts and decorations for personal plots - bottle peacocks. Embroidery masters often use a special thread to depict a majestic figure peacock gold.
Character and lifestyle of the peacock bird
Peacocks are common in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. Javan peacocks are found in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Southern China.
For their residence, peacocks choose areas overgrown with bushes or forests. You can often notice that peacocks settle near people. This is due to the fact that they feed on the seeds of agricultural plants.
Peacocks choose their habitats very carefully, and their choice is influenced by a number of factors, for example, the proximity of a water source, the presence of tall trees where peacocks could spend the night in the future, and so on.
Peacocks spend most of their time on the ground. They move quite quickly, and the tail is not a hindrance when overcoming various obstacles from thickets of grass or bushes. By their nature, peacocks cannot be called bold and courageous birds; rather, on the contrary, they are very timid and, if possible, flee from any danger.
Peacocks have a sharp and shrill voice, but most often it can be heard only before rain; even during the courtship dance, peacocks remain silent. But recently, scientists made the discovery that peacocks also communicate using infrasound signals, which are inaccessible to the human ear.
It is not yet clear what exactly the birds convey to each other in such an unusual way, but there are suggestions that they warn each other about danger.
Reproduction and lifespan of a peacock
The mating season for peacocks begins in April and lasts until September. At this time, the male peacock is very beautiful and proud of himself, at this time his tail is simply luxurious. It can reach 2.5 meters in width and when a bird opens it, an unusual cracking of the feather shafts is heard.
After the mating season, peacocks begin to molt and lose their amazing birds. The peacock shows off its tail in front of the females, who in turn come running to look at it. There are usually about five females around the male.
As soon as the female shows her readiness to mate, the male peacock dramatically changes his behavior. The peacock stops showing off his magnificent tail, turns away and looks impassive and uninterested. After some confrontations, the couple finally converges and mating occurs.
The female usually lays from 4 to 10 eggs. A month later, chicks are born, which at first are helpless, however, they grow quite quickly and gain strength by leaps and bounds. But from the very first days, males from the same brood fight for leadership among themselves, thus preparing for adulthood.
Gorgeous feathers, which are the main advantage of birds, begin to appear only after three years of life, at which time they reach sexual maturity and are ready to reproduce. Peacocks live for about twenty years, which is quite a long time for birds from this family.
Peacock feeding
Peacocks are often raised as domestic birds; in principle, this is not surprising, since their care and nutrition are the same as for chickens. The main food for these luxurious birds is grain crops.
That is why in the wild, peacocks settle close to lands where agricultural products are grown, in particular cereals.
They also eat berries, young shoots, and small twigs. Peacocks can also eat invertebrates; sometimes they feast on small rodents or even snakes. This diet helps peacocks lead an active lifestyle.
In addition, peacocks cannot do without water, which their body needs no less than food, so the source of water must be close to the peacocks’ home.
March 11th, 2013
Many people 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 order Gallinae! The magnificent “tail” of the peacock is actually the upper tail feathers, 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 terrestrial bird and is very good at running and making its way through dense thickets.
U real peacocks(Pavo) the upper tail coverts are very well developed, which the male spreads in the form of a fan-shaped train during mating. These birds have a small head and a long neck. The male and female differ in the color of their plumage and the length of their uppertail coverts. The sixth flight feather is longer than the others.
Common or blue peacock (Pavo cristatus) very handsome. Its head, neck and front part of the chest are purple-blue with a golden or green tint. The back is green with a metallic sheen, blue streaks, brown spots and black feather edges; The loin and wing coverts are light rusty in color with glossy black transverse strokes, the tail is brown. The underside is black with grey-brown markings. The rump feathers are green with a bronze tint and variegated round “eye-shaped” spots with a black spot in the center. Beak Pink colour, legs bluish-gray. The length of the male is 180-230 cm, tail 40-50 and tail plume 140-160 cm.
The female has a stripe near the eyes, the sides of the head and throat are white, the bottom of the neck, the top of the back and chest are shiny, green, the rest of the upper body is earthy-brown with a light wavy pattern. On the head there 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 (Pavo muticus nigripennis) differs from the common one in black shiny shoulders and wings with a bluish tint, and the female has a lighter color of plumage; her back and neck are covered with brown and yellowish streaks.
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Javan peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - a genus of large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), order Galliformes (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks, living in South-East Asia.
Javan peacock. Peacocks (Pavo Linnaeus, 1758) - a genus of large birds from the pheasant subfamily (lat. Phasianinae), order Galliformes (lat. Galliformes), other Russian names - blue-winged peacock, green peacock - one of two species of Asian peacocks, living in the Southeast Asia.
Unlike the ordinary peacock, the Javan peacock is much larger and brighter in color, has plumage with metallic sheen and longer legs, a neck and a crest on the head. The elongated tail of peacocks is flat, while most pheasants have a roof-shaped tail.
Thanks to its lush, fan-shaped ocellated “tail,” the peacock is known as the most beautiful bird among Galliformes.
A characteristic feature of a male peacock is the strong development of the upper tail coverts, which are usually mixed with tail feathers or tail feathers in the proper sense of the word.
There are two Asian species of peacocks, the common and Javan palin.
Although the habitats of the two Asian species (P. cristatus and P. muticus) do not overlap, hybrids between them often arise in captivity and are called "Spalding" - named after Keith Spalding, who first crossed cristatus and muticus . The offspring from these crosses are completely fertile.
The common or Indian or crested 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). Domesticated by man.
Javan peacock, or gigantic, the peacock is the largest in the chicken world. In appearance it resembles an ordinary peacock, but is larger; in addition, it is also distinguished by the fact that its neck and chest are colored greenish, and the crest on its head does not fan out - it consists of feathers pressed together and forming a dense, high bun. The train is similar to that of common peacocks. The females of these two species are very similar.
Javan peacock lives in Southeast Asia, from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula to Java.
Peacocks raised in captivity become completely tame. Some Vietnamese bird lovers keep them in their backyards. 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 most of the year.
Females get along well with other pheasant birds. Due to the high aggressiveness of males, breeding this species in captivity becomes problematic. While protecting females, males sometimes jump on people, and you need to be careful with them, as they sometimes inflict injuries with their sharp spurs. A male with clipped wings no longer “owns” such a vast territory, but even with this “limitation” they make jumps of more than 1.8 m in height. Only the following are truly suitable for keeping these birds: large gardens or parks.
During the mating season, birds are placed in spacious enclosures with different shelters for females. There are usually six eggs in a clutch; incubation lasts 28 days. Young peacocks develop slowly and independent life transition at at least eight weeks of age.
The length of the male is 180-300 cm, wings 46-54 cm, tail 40-47 cm, train 140-160 cm. Weighs up to 5 kg.
The head and upper neck are brownish-green. The crest consists of feathers with wider fans. The periocular area is bluish-gray in color.
The feathers of the lower part of the neck are green with golden-green edges and have a scaly pattern, the chest and upper back are bluish-green with reddish and yellow spots; the lower back is copper-bronze with brown markings, the shoulders and wings are dark green, the flight feathers are brown with black and gray spots on outside fanned.
The tail feathers are light chestnut, and the highly elongated coverts are as bright and similar in color as the common peacock, but with a metallic copper-red hue. The beak is black, the legs are gray.
The female differs little in color from the male, but is 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 bird about the size of a swan, 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 shiny blue feathers, and the magnificent tail consists of long bronze-green feathers, of which there are about 200. Domesticated by humans.
Body length of the common peacock ( Indian) 100-125 cm, tail 40-50 cm, elongated tail feathers decorated with “eyes” 120-160 cm. The male weighs 4-4.25 kg. The head, neck and part of the chest are blue, the back is green, and the lower body is black. The female is smaller, more modestly colored and lacks elongated tail feathers.
Found in large or small flocks. It feeds mainly on plant foods, partly on animals (insects, mollusks, small vertebrates). Hardy and unpretentious in maintenance. 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 incubation period of eggs is 28 days.
A young male common (Indian) peacock from one year to 1.5 years wears an outfit similar to that of a female, and typical adult feathers are fully developed 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 jungles and woodlands, on cultivated lands and near villages, preferring bush thickets, forest clearings and river banks.
By the beginning of the 20th century, peacocks were kept relatively rarely to decorate poultry yards and parks, since it was believed that their unpleasant voice and the damage they caused in gardens did not correspond to the pleasure brought by its appearance. Nowadays it is 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 other poultry, but can withstand even quite severe cold, suffering little from snow.
In India, hunting 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. The white peacock, or 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). Domesticated by man.
This species of common peacock lives in southern India and the island of Sri Lanka and has brilliant white plumage with various shades and dots on the wings; the tail feathers are also completely white with large white spots at the ends that are separated by shade. The beak and legs of the white peacock are reddish. White peacock- like a bride who “performs like a peahen.” Birds of this color have a very special charm: blue “eyes” in pure white plumage.
A characteristic feature of a male white peacock is a strong development of the upper coverts
Peacocks' food consists of seeds, tender shoots of plants and invertebrates.. They readily feed on the seedlings of cultivated cereals in the fields, and when the berries are ripe, they eat them in large quantities. Peacocks are capable of catching and eating snakes or swallowing small rodents.
These birds breed in different terms 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 guard a nesting area of up to 1 hectare, but females do not recognize its boundaries. The male has up to 3-5 females, which after mating leave him, make a nest under a bush or near the upturned roots of a tree and lay 5-7 large yellowish-white eggs. The basis of mating relationships among peacocks is mating; harems disintegrate after mating, and males do not participate in incubating and raising chicks.
Peacocks are 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 a feast. And currently, peacocks are kept in parks and gardens as ornamental birds.
Peacocks produce loud, sharp calls that not every person can tolerate. Therefore, despite their beauty, these birds are rarely kept at home, but still lovers living in the southern regions of our country, especially in the Caucasus, keep peacocks.
Despite the long history of domestication, the peacock is almost no different from its ancestors. In addition to birds with normal colors, there are only varieties with pure white plumage or with such white background scattered brown spots with blue and purple edging. Sometimes such birds can be found in some areas in the wild.
Peacocks easily tolerate acclimatization, are unpretentious to living conditions, and are insensitive to rain and cold. In the south of our country, both in winter and summer, they can spend the night on a tree or perch under open air. Only in particularly severe winters should they be kept in an insulated shed, but in winter, during the daytime, the birds can be released for a walk. Hobbyists should be aware that peacocks are not friendly with pheasants, backyard chickens, and other chickens and can kill them to death.
Adult peacocks should be fed the same as domestic chickens. They readily eat grains, root vegetables, meat, bread and other foods. To keep birds, you need specially equipped enclosures, in which you should install high poles (up to 2-3 m) or plant trees. It is good to place a roof over the poles so that the birds can hide from the rain and sun.
Pet peacocks are easy to breed, but at the same time there should not be more than 3-4 females per male. Females begin to lay eggs, depending on the weather, from April or May to the end of July. If eggs are constantly collected, up to 30 eggs can be collected from one female. In order for them to lay in one place and not scatter eggs throughout the enclosure, 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).
Eggs should be placed under turkeys or chickens for incubation.. Female peacocks usually hatch poorly, but if one of them has hatched chicks, she warms them, looks for food for them and sleeps with them on a tree branch or perch. In cold rainy weather, they climb under its plumage so that only the heads on the long neck peek out.
Immediately after hatching, the chicks are very tender: they are afraid of cold, dampness, rain and bright sun, therefore, their care should be more thorough than that of common pheasant chicks. Peacock chicks need to be fed on the very first day of their life, as soon as they dry out 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, they are given millet grains, crushed wheat, barley, and oatmeal. At the age of 2 months. they already eat the same things as adult peacocks, they love berries and sweet fruits, and consume animal food: leftover meat, meat powder, curdled milk, insects and their larvae. Meat powder is given to them mixed with bread crumbs, ground 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 for 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, and spreads the elongated feathers of the upper tail like a fan. Mating poses and dances during the current last 15-20 minutes, during the rest of the year they are expressed in the same, but shorter-term poses. The intensity of mating behavior is influenced by the weather conditions: males are especially willing to mating in cool weather.
Peacocks moult in September. The male loses almost all of his uppertail feathers, but still remains very beautiful. He behaves more calmly at this time.
PEACOCK is 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 peacock's homeland, South Asia, it is highly valued for warning 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 venom of the snake it has struck.
In Russia, a completely different attitude towards peacocks developed due to the fact that only rich people could breed them. Therefore, only in the Russian consciousness did the peacock become a symbol of arrogance and arrogance. The expression “spread his tail like a peacock” acquired the meaning not only of courtship, but also of vanity and feigned pride.
According to Greek myth, the peacock was associated with Zeus' wife Hera. When Hermes killed the hundred-eyed Argos by putting him to sleep by playing the flute, Hera revived him by transferring Argos' eyes to the plumage of a peacock. Among the Romans, the peacock became an attribute of Juno, for whom the amoretti, winged babies, collected “eyes” from its tail. On Roman coins, the peacock was depicted as a sign of the divinity of the emperor's daughters.
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 the incorruptible soul. IN 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 it was believed 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 sun bird of India, a symbol of many gods, in particular Buddha. At the level of eastern emblems, a fan made from a peacock's tail 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, symbolizing passionate desires.
This idea of passion finds its echo in the world of butterflies, where a male night peacock butterfly can smell a female several kilometers away. The pattern of its wings, reminiscent of numerous eyes, in Indian mythology was perceived 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 signifies the mental duality of man, who draws his strength from the principle of unity.
The peacock's tail, which includes 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 the idea of the whole and a sign of the union of all colors.
In alchemy, the “peacock’s tail” is the name given to 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 symbolizes 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 disaster may befall the owner or his daughters will not marry. It is believed that the presence of a peacock on stage can lead to the failure of a play. Perhaps all these prejudices are explained by the fact that the ever-open “eye” in a peacock feather is associated with the evil eye and, therefore, with bad luck.
In heraldry, the peacock was depicted with flowing plumage, which in the language of heraldry, "blazon", was called "a peacock in his 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 appears as a symbol of immortality and the incorruptible soul.
In Hindu mythology, the pattern of its wings, resembling countless eyes, is considered 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 storms as he becomes restless before the rain, and his dance during the rain reflects the symbolism of the spiral. Talkativeness, swagger and vanity are relatively late connotations. Buddhism: Compassion and Alertness. A fan of peacock feathers is an attribute of Avalokiteshvara, also identified with Guan Yin and Amitabha, as a symbol of compassion. China: dignity, high rank, beauty. Attribute of Guan Yin and Si WangMu. A peacock feather was awarded upon receiving a high rank for merit and signified the favor of the emperor. Emblem of the Ming Dynasty.
Christianity: immortality, resurrection, the soul glorified before the Lord, since the peacock renews its plumage, and its meat was considered unperishable. “One hundred eyes” of the all-seeing Church. It also symbolizes saints, as its tail resembles a halo. A peacock sitting on a sphere or orb represented the ability to rise above worldly things. His feather 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, the following attitude developed towards peacocks: since only very wealthy people could afford to breed these rare birds, all the qualities that were hated in the master were transferred to the “lordly 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". Originally an attribute of Pan, then borrowed by Hero as a symbol of the starry vault. Argus's eyes were scattered across Hera's tail. Hinduism: sometimes - the mount of Brahma; Lakshmi and the god of war Skanda-Karttikeya also ride on a peacock; when the god of love Kama sits astride it, it symbolizes 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 a spreading tail." The peacock's eye is associated with the Eye of the Heart. The Japanese bodhisattva Kujaku-Mae always sits on a peacock. Rome: bird of Juno with the same meaning as in the case of Hera. Emblem of the Empress and the Emperor's daughters.
An ornamental bird originating from India, where it is due to its luxurious fan-shaped tail. was considered a symbol of the Sun.
Through Babylonia. She reached Samos in Persia and Asia Minor and became a sacred bird there in the temple of Hera. In the 5th century BC. in Athens, peacocks were shown for money as an exotic rarity, 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 snake destroyer, and the iridescent colors of the tail were attributed to its ability to transform snake venom into a solar substance.
In the East, the Kurdish sect of the Yazidis (“devil worshipers”) considers the peacock as Melek Taus (King Peacock), the messenger of God: in Islam it is considered a symbol of the cosmos or the great celestial bodies of the Sun and Moon.
Early Christianity also favored positive interpretations of the peacock. 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 that the blood of a peacock drives out demons also continued to operate. Quite often, the peacock was represented in images of the grotto in Bethlehem, where Christ was born: two peacocks drinking from the same cup indicate spiritual rebirth, and cherubs often display four wings made of peacock feathers. The “eyes” of peacocks were understood as an indication of divine omniscience, and peacock meat until modern times was considered food that gave strength to the sick. Negative traits are noted in the text of the early Christian “Physiologus”: The peacock “walks around, looks at itself with pleasure and shakes its plumage, puts on airs and looks arrogantly around itself. But if he looks at his paws, he will cry out angrily, since they do not correspond to the rest of his appearance.” If a Christian, this is the symbolic interpretation, sees his merits, he will perhaps rejoice; “But when you see your feet, that is, your flaws, then turn with a complaint to God and hate injustice, just as a peacock hates its paws, so that you will appear before the (heavenly) bridegroom justified.”
This puts into circulation a symbolic meaning that is common 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 praising flatterers, extols his spirit in vain grandeur. If he raises his tail, his bottom is exposed and he becomes a laughing stock as he swaggers around arrogantly. This means that the peacock must hold its tail low in order to humbly carry out everything that the teacher does” (Unterkircher). In the Baroque era, in images of scenes of the Way of the Cross to Calvary, Jesus, stripped of his clothes, atones for the 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 of Trimberg).
In China, the positive interpretation was borrowed from the Indian region (goddess Saraswati rides on a peacock, Indra sits on a peacock throne), the peacock represents beauty and dignity, drives out evil forces and dances at the sight of beautiful women. Peacock feathers were a distinctive sign of the Manchu Emperor and were displayed in vases. The Chinese garden also contained peacocks.
In the figurative world of alchemy, a peacock’s tail shimmering with colors 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 coat of arms of the counts von Wied, the helmet-treasure of the counts von Ortenburg, the peacock tail as the helmet-treasure of the Archdukes of Austria, the peacock fan as a decoration of the armorial helmets of the princes von Schwarzenberg, counts von Henneberg, etc.), and Naturally, a positive interpretation of the image of the peacock (resurrection, radiance) was assumed here.
Radiant glory, immortality, greatness, incorruptibility, pride.
The sparkling splendor of the tail of the male peacock is the reason for his comparison 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 was indestructible.
In Islamic decorative art, the unity of opposites (the sun at its zenith next to full moon) was depicted as two peacocks under the World Tree.
Peacocks are widely known as an emblem of greatness, royalty, spiritual superiority, the ideal creature.
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 on a peacock, but in fact there is no contradiction here: if we read the ancient Indian books devoted to the art of war, we will see that there was no war then were a means of mass extermination of people, such as the wars of the 20th century became - 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 was proceeding according to a pre-prepared scenario, a bloody fight between representatives of mortally warring clans suddenly ended 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, which are not often considered from a philosophical point of view. When I studied at the university, it was customary to talk about Art Nouveau as a bourgeois, outwardly overly aestheticized and superficial style. In fact, the choice of subjects in the era of Art Nouveau was absolutely not accidental and was deeply thought out, because all the artists who worked then, with rare exceptions, had a deep academic education, which presupposed knowledge of both mythology and symbolism. If we take into account the general fascination with the culture of the East in that period, then one can imagine what an interesting cultural-historical mixture lies at the basis of the philosophy of Art Nouveau.
Peacock symbolizes the colorful diversity of the world. The peacock is often made to personify the endless variety, the cheerful spirit with which God created this earth, having fun as he wanted.
In Indian mythology, when Krishna and Radha - two forms of the god Vishnu - dance and play in the eternal joy of love, peacocks look at them. There are iconic toys, for example: Krishna and Radha swing on a swing, and on the pillars of the swing we again see peacocks. The motley peacock seems to be telling us: no matter how hard life is, no matter how unpleasant surprises it brings us, this is inevitable, we must find joy in life and believe that its diversity will always allow us to find a positive side. In 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 flowing plumage. In "blazon" (the language of heraldry) this is called "a peacock in its pride."
Tausin - peacock stone (from the Persian “tausi”) was called labradorite in Russia for its resemblance to the iridescence of peacock plumage. The St. Petersburg nobility wore rings, rings and snuff boxes made of this stone, and ladies showed off outfits made of iridescent “taaus” silk. However, the “tausine fashion” lasted until 1835, when the discovery of the richest deposit of labradorite in Ukraine devalued this mineral.
sources
http://www.zoopicture.ru
http://zooclub.ru
http://miragro.com
Dahl's Dictionary
Many of us have seen beautiful and majestic peacocks in zoos. They stroll importantly, spreading their beautiful tail with bright feathers. Only males have such extraordinary beauty of a tail. What do peacocks look like? and what is the name of this feminine bird, is it possible to eat peacock meat?
These birds of rare beauty originated from wild pheasants and chickens Despite this origin, they are much larger than their closest relatives. There are only two species in the world - the common and green peacock. These birds are not only the most beautiful among their close relatives, but also record holders for size. Among chickens, they are considered the largest. Males and females have several differences:
- feather color;
- behavior;
- tail shape.
Birds are most common in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. They love to live among the jungle at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level. Since they are a terrestrial species, they move very quickly, overcoming dense thickets without problems.
Two kinds peacocks have many differences in appearance and reproduction. An ordinary or blue peacock has a purple-blue neck, part of the chest and head with a green or golden tint. The green back has a metallic sheen. It also shows brown spots, blue streaks of feathers with a black border. The tail of this species has brown feathers and green rumps. They are decorated with rounded spots with black in the center. Their beak is pink and their legs are bluish-gray. Males reach a length of 230 cm, and the tail can grow up to 50 cm with a tail train of one and a half meters.
Female common peacocks have an earthy-brown upper body with a wavy pattern. The upper back and lower neck, as well as the chest, are distinguished by a shiny green color. The sides of the head and throat are painted white, with stripes near the eyes. The female's head is decorated with a small crest of brown color with a hint of green. The female reaches only 1 meter in length, and the tail can be 137 cm long.
When you mention a peacock, everyone imagines a colorful fan-shaped tail. Everyone has seen this bird in the picture, and there is hardly a zoo that does not have such a resident. Meanwhile, few people know how peacocks live in nature. Rarely does a person have an idea about their life and answer the question about their country of origin.
In fact, there are more than 50 breeds of peacocks. They differ in appearance, size, and habitats. Bright plumage is not all that such a bird can boast of.
Peacocks are members of the pheasant family, an order of Galliformes. Among their relatives they are the largest in size. The length of the bird is on average 125 cm. The tail extends separately for the same amount (and sometimes up to 150 cm). Carcass weight is about 4.5 kg. The body is moderately muscular. The legs are long and strong.
Peacocks belong to the order Galliformes, the pheasant family.
The most attractive part of a peacock is its plumage. While females often have dark brown feathers, the color of their gentlemen is no different. The head and neck of males are most often painted in shades of blue; the back and wings combine tints of silver, gold and emerald. There are breeds with a predominance of white or red feathers and the presence of gray-brown spots on the body.
The head is small, graceful, with a crown-shaped crest. A graceful neck helps maintain a regal posture.
The luxurious tail actually has nothing to do with this part of the body. Long feathers are in front of it and cover it when folded. When the “fan” opens, you can see a short, neat process from behind, but usually no one pays attention to it. This is where the misconception about the fan-shaped “tail” came from.
The rump feathers usually match the overall color. The brightest part is the "eye" in the middle of the upper flare.
The plumage is the most attractive part of peacocks. Even brown females have bright green or blue spots at these points. Exceptions are white peacocks, whose fan is a single color. Feathers are made up of fibers that look like dense threads.
There are not many countries where the peacock lives by nature. In their wild natural form they live only in India, Thailand and Africa. In other places the bird was brought artificially.
India
The border regions of Pakistan and Nepal and Sri Lanka are also attributed to India. This is where the most famous blue and green peacocks come from.. In the southern regions you can often find a white breed.
Indian peacocks inhabit forest areas with dense bushes, river banks, jungle thickets, and sometimes clearings. They often go to pastures and rural crops to find food. They are not shy, but behave cautiously and sleep lightly.
In India, you can often find a white breed of peacocks. Vegetation serves as a place for peacocks to sleep and hide. At ponds they drink and swim in the heat. Shout for safety reasons. Here the bird is a state symbol. Previously, peacocks were kept in the courts of rajas. Nowadays, such “pets” can often be found in ordinary wealthy homes.
Thailand
“Asian” peacocks have predominantly green plumage. They are divided into Javanese, Indochinese and Burmese. Native species prefer areas with abundant shrubs and nearby agricultural land. They often choose a home above the sea at an altitude of about 2 km away from predators. They are distinguished by their aggressive nature and loud, unpleasant voices.
Residents of Thailand consider the peacock sacred and value it for its ability to scream to warn of the appearance of a dangerous animal and the approach of a strong thunderstorm. Neighboring China, Laos, Burma, Java, Vietnam and Malaysia adhere to the same traditions.
“Asian” peacocks have predominantly green plumage. Africa
The predominant species of peacock here is the blue-colored Congolese peacock.. The gray-blue feathers are close to black and contrast sharply with the orange patch on the throat.
African peacocks can be found in the rainforests of the Congo. Nests are often found among fallen trees on forks. It feeds and leads a lifestyle similar to its Indian relatives.
The discovery was made by the Dutch traveling to the islands of the western Pacific Ocean. The peacock attracted attention with its beautiful plumage. Arriving back, the sailors spent a long time telling legends about “birds of paradise with tails of unprecedented splendor.”
Traders brought extraordinary birds not only deep into India and Asia, but also to Egypt, Rome, and Australia. Peacocks conquered Europe only during the time of Alexander the Great, who made aggressive campaigns in the countries where they lived.
The peacock attracted the attention of travelers with its beautiful plumage. Reference. The name “birds of paradise” is still preserved not only colloquially, but also officially in English.
What is the character of peacocks and how do they behave in nature?
No matter what country peacocks live in, their temperament remains similar. They avoid too open spaces, do not sleep in too dense wilds, where they can get tangled with their wings and tail. When danger approaches, they can take off and move several meters forward. Long flights are hampered by large body dimensions.
Males love to court females, luring them with a bright fan of the upper tail. Charming the opposite sex is a real ritual. Males slowly walk past females, stirring up interest in themselves by constantly moving away and approaching. One peacock can get from 3 to 5 ladies into his harem.
The colorful “fan” also serves as a weapon of defense. Large circles on the feathers resemble large eyes, which, coupled with a sharp cry, frightens many animals.
Males attract the attention of females with a bright fan of their tail. Peacocks are very sociable among themselves. The rump, even when folded, can oscillate slightly, producing a sound similar to the rustling of grass. The vibrations are so light that the volume is inaccessible to the human ear.
What is the diet of peacocks?
It is not difficult to guess what a peacock eats. Like any bird, it prefers grain, grass, plant seeds, often eats berry bushes, absorbs small insects, rodents and snakes.
Interesting. If peacocks are often disliked for the destruction of cereal fields, then the extermination of mice and reptiles, on the contrary, brings considerable benefit to their human neighbors.
In breeding, peacocks justify their belonging to Galliformes. Dating, mating dances and egg-laying begin during the rainy season (April-September), when the heat does not interfere with the development of the offspring. The eggs are laid in holes on the ground.
The photo shows a small peacock chick. Each female produces up to 10 eggs and protects them even at the cost of her own life. Males are not such selfless fathers - they run away when in danger, emitting a loud warning cry.
After a month, brown chicks hatch. Colorful plumage appears only at 3-4 years of age, when sexual maturity occurs. The size of the young is very small, but growth occurs quickly.
Natural enemies of peacocks
In natural conditions, peacocks are hunted by leopards, tigers, and panthers. Adults often engage in unequal battles with them. Young animals often become prey for mongooses, small cats and other terrestrial carnivores.
In Asia and India, peacocks are often kept to show that they belong to the nobility and aristocracy. They are placed in gardens and parks for aesthetic beauty and to repel snakes. The feathers of this bird are used to decorate the interior and items of clothing, and they are also used to make souvenirs.
Peacocks are kept in gardens and farms for aesthetic beauty. The meat of young animals is considered a delicacy and is eaten by some peoples.
Interesting facts from the life of peacocks
There are several interesting facts associated with the magnificent birds:
- They live up to 20 years, which is a long time for birds.
- In some countries they are considered a symbol not of prosperity, but of troubles and misfortunes.
- “Peacocks” are often teased by narcissistic people. The reason is the associations with the proud posture and mating games of these birds.
- King Solomon himself had peacocks in his court and loved them very much.
We invite you to watch a video about the magnificent “birds of paradise” from the pheasant family - peacocks. We wish you pleasant viewing!