Which bird is the national bird of India?

The Indian peafowl is the national bird of India.

The species, Pavo cristatus, is native to the Indian subcontinent and is especially recognizable through the male’s brilliant blue plumage and long train of feather-like upper-tail coverts. Those feathers display colorful eyespots during courtship. Females, called peahens, are mostly brown and lack the elaborate train.

The bird’s cultural importance helped make it a natural national symbol. Peafowl appear in Hindu mythology, temple art, poetry, and traditional stories; Krishna is often depicted wearing a peacock feather. The species is also associated with the Hindu deity Kartikeya. India officially designated it as its national bird in 1963.

A common mix-up is calling the species itself “peacock.” Strictly speaking, peacock refers to the male, peahen to the female, and peafowl to either sex. Despite its spectacular tail, the Indian peafowl can fly and commonly roost in trees. It is classified as Least Concern, although habitat loss, poaching, poisoning, and conflict with crops remain concerns.