Balcony Birding: Indian Blue Peacock

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Be like a peacock and dance with all of your beauty.

Eye-spotted tail of covert feathers of the Indian Peacock (Pavo Cristatus)

As usual I was standing in my balcony looking out for birds when I felt something big go thud. My first thought was of the kites with some big prey. When I looked up I was shocked to see India’s national bird, the blue peacock, land on the terrace of the opposite tower. Shock, as it was unexpected and I was dumb struck with joy!

I guess this was a trailer for what was to come in days ahead.

It was a brief appearance as he was out of view in a few seconds. He came back again at the same spot in the evening. I was cooking and by the time I heard his call and reached the balcony he had gone.

This lone photo and appearance was joy for me as the peacock had made a comeback in our society after nearly a decade and of late I had been hearing his calls once in a while and was hoping it comes around my home!

There he was again, nearly after a month!

After a ~month I saw him again. This time it was gratitude as I had wished to see him again and it was granted!

The male species have a beautiful long train of covert feathers.

Wow! He took a leap and fulfilled my wish to photograph him in flight.

Colorful and majestic! Is he not?

Again a quick visit and he was out of view after the leap. I could still hear his calls though. I was very happy that morning. I made a wish again ……… I hoped he perched or if possible make his home on the semal tree which I can see from the balcony.

Next morning I got up around 5.15 am and went straight to brush my teeth. Barely had I applied the toothpaste on the brush, I heard a loud call and it sounded near. In the first instance I had ignored it as a figment of my imagination. He called again and my birding sense told me he was somewhere around the house. I ran to the smaller balcony….. zilch…….I ran to the one I bird watch from and what I saw left me speechless. There he was perched on the semal tree …… amen to that!

I was on cloud nine counting my blessings! He was there till the surroundings got a little light and then he left.

video clips from the morning meetings with the gorgeous visitor

Evenings I usually watch the setting sun and the sunset sky. A little birding if the light permits a good capture and today was such a day. My friend had returned; quietly standing behind the tree. So was he actually staying the night yet again?

There he was again, in the evening, hovering around the Semal or Red Silk Cotton tree.

He jumped into the tree and slowly settled himself and his long tail. His occasional calls attracted the society people who flocked around the tree, excited and clicking photos.

Sneak peak from within the tree

Settling himself, especially his long train tail, in the tree

…….. and yes he did spend another night at the tree!

Tell ‘tail’ signs ……….

The next morning I woke up all excited, looking forward to seeing him yet again. There he was waiting for me and for the light to brighten up the surroundings. Well he did not come back that evening and its 10 days now since I last saw him.

Rise & Shine!

… and he comes again after a month (seems to be a pattern May-Jun-Jul)

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Here are some more peacock photos from my some of my trips:

Ranthambore Fort, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

One of the many pretty sights with the mighty Ranthambore in the background

Pataudi Palace, Vill Pataudi, Haryana

First time I saw a peacock dancing so closely. The palace was full of peacocks.

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar, Rajasthan

In the wilderness of Sariska — a bevy of peafowls (peacocks and peahens)

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The gorgeous tail train is a sight to behold and worth photographing

Aravali Bio-Diversity Park, New Delhi

Clicked by hubby dear while on a walk at the biodiversity park

Some fun facts:
* The Indian Blue Peacock is India’s National Bird
* The peafowl belong to the pheasant family
* The peacock symbolizes: nobility, holiness, guidance, protection & watchfulness
* Till six months or so the peachicks look alike. Its only after that the male changes color
* The prized tail starts growing only after 3 years
* The males give out many fake loud copulatory call (even when they are not mating) just to attract more females
* Microscopic crystal-like structures on their feathers reflect different wavelengths of light which results in those bright fluorescent colors
* The peahen has special sensors in her crest that allow her to feel the vibrations of a probable mate even if far away. “… the crest is tuned to vibrate at the exact same frequency at which a displaying peacock rattles his tail…..”
* When the peacock fans his tail, he shakes it at a rate of 26 times a second
* The tail makes 60% of peacock’s total length. In fact the peahen chooses its partner by the length, width and coloration of the tail.
* Peacocks are polygamous by nature and usually have a harem
* If the peacock is alone it is very sad and heart-broken
* They are one of the largest flying birds on earth & run pretty fast (16 kmph)
* The peacocks establish breeding territories in a common area called a lek. Peahens walk through the lek and choose a mate.
* The peacock is considered the manifestation of the celestial phoenix on earth. It’s “thousand eyes” on the tail promote fame and good luck as per feng shui and enhance one’s protection and awareness.

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Do watch out for my next post on another species from my #BalconyBirding list

Posts shared so far on:

1. Rosy Starlings
2. Alexandrine Parakeet
3. Rose-Ringed Parakeet
4. Plum Headed Parakeet
5. Indian Spot-Billed Duck
6. Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
7. Black-Winged Stilt
8. Indian Peafowl

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The Soul Is Here For It’s Own Joy!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe

This published post is being shared as part of:

#WordlessWednesday hosted by Natasha & Esha
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