> What’s the national bird of India?And the answer: peacock. Photo credit: Paul Lakin.The Pavo cristatus, popularly known as the Indian peacock, is a colorful birdabout the size of a swan, with long tail feathers. Fun fact: Just the males areknown as peacocks. Females are known as peahens, while babies are calledpeachicks.Peacocks, peahens and peachicks are widely considered to be the more fashionablecousin of turkeys and chickens. These colorful birds live in abundance on theirnative soil of India, but also thrive in pockets throughout the world. TheIndian Peafowl are known for their remarkable deep blue coloring across the neckand head; yet not every peacock resembles this national bird. In fact, everypeafowl has a distinctive feather pattern, coming in a wide range of colors,shapes and sizes. The three main types of peafowl are the blue Indian Peafowlfound in Indian and Sri Lanka, the Green Peafowl of Southeast Asia and theislands of Java, and finally the lesser-known Congo Peafowl, found in Africanrainforests. Peafowl are some of the largest flighted birds in the animal kingdom. Thesemassive birds can weigh nearly 9 pounds, and reach up to 4 feet tall. What'smore: the males' magnificent tail feathers spread to around 6 feet in diameterin mating rituals or courtship displays. Peahens are usually comprised of moremuted colors, but are of a similar stature. Peacocks' feathers have unique microscopic qualities. Their complex biologicalstructure creates color-changing properties that greatly influence the hue,luster, and overall appearance of the peacocks' train. The structures thatcomprise their feathers can even create a fluorescent appearance. Watch these large birds dance a mating ritual below.