India's national bird is what colorfully-plumed creature?

India's national bird is what colorfully-plumed creature? The peacock. More precisely, the national bird is the Indian peafowl, whose male is commonly called a peacock.

India designated the Indian peacock as its national bird in February 1963. The species, Pavo cristatus, is native to the Indian subcontinent and is especially recognizable for the male’s iridescent blue neck, crest, and long train of upper-tail feathers. The train contains elaborate eyespots that the male raises and vibrates during courtship displays.

A common mix-up is the distinction between peacock, peahen, and peafowl. “Peacock” refers specifically to the male, “peahen” to the female, and “peafowl” to the species or either sex. Females are mostly brown with green on the neck and do not have the male’s spectacular train.

The bird’s national status reflects both its native distribution and its deep cultural importance. Indian peafowl appear in Hindu stories, temple art, poetry, and regional traditions, including associations with the deity Krishna and the god Kartikeya. Despite their ornate feathers, they can fly and commonly roost in trees.