Rosy Starling

A report (repeated below) appeared in a National newspaper this week about the sighting of Rosy Starlings in the Tiruvannamalai area. 

“A flock of rosy starlings, a bird resembling a mynah but which has a distinct colour pattern, has been spotted in Tiruvannamalai. It is being claimed that it is the first time the bird is spotted here. Painter and bird watcher Kumar alias Sivakumar spotted the bird in Samudram Eri during his regular bird watching a few days ago. “The birds with light pink pattern in its body came in large numbers like a cloud. They landed in the lake area. This is the first time I am observing them here,” he said. 

Rosy Starlings on the Samudram Eri

V. Arun, a bio diversity activist and expert, associated with Forest Way, an organisation that has been taking up successful afforestation project in the Tiruvannamalai hills, said that he has spotted rosy starlings in Mumbai and other northern part of the nation. 

“They are migratory birds not frequently seen in South India. I have never seen them in Tiruvannamalai and never heard someone else spotting the bird here. Kumar’s spotting the bird is the first time probably,” he said. 

“Ecology in Tiruvannamalai hill and surrounding areas is improving and we spot two-three new species every year here”. When asked how the bird was seen even after the winter is over, he said some migratory birds were seen for a few days in a spot while taking upward journey and they would be seen again for a few days in the same spot during their return journey. Kumar might have seen them on their return journey, he said.” 

Below is information about the Rosy Starling, a new arrival to us at Tiruvannamalai. 

Rosy Starling 

Sturnus Roseus. Summer Plummage: Adult Male (Centre), Female (Below), Juvenile (Behind)

The Rosy Starling (Pastor Roseus) is a Passerine Bird in the Starling family and is also known as the Rose-Coloured Starling or Rose-Coloured Pastor. In Tamil this bird is known as Cholam Kuruvi. It is the size of a Mynah bird. Rose pink colour with glistening black head, neck and upper breast, wings and tail, and pale orange legs and bill. Males in the breeding season have a long, recumbent, pointed crest on the crown and nape which sometimes is more fluffed and prominent. 

Duller and Browner Adults

Females have a short crest and are duller overall, especially without the sharp separation between pink and black. Young birds and adults in winter plumage (non breeding) are duller and browner

Young Chick by Anura Chandak

Rosy Starling Eating Grain

 

Its keeps near cultivation, particularly Jowari (Sorghum) and ripening grain crops. 

Starling at Indian Coral Tree

This bird is attracted to flowering trees and nectar of Simal Flowers (Salmalia). It likes Banyan and Peepul figs, Lantana, Peeloo (Salvadora) and other berries. The Rosy Starling cross pollinates these types of trees. Its diet is chiefly fruits, berries, flower-nectar, cereal grains and insects. 

Males have a chattering, warbling song of harsh as well as pleasant notes uttered chiefly when satiated and resting in a shady tree during the mid-day heat. As well as its mixture of squeaks and rattles it also exhibits much wing trembling. 

Rosy Starling Group on Tree by Mayank

The Rosy Starling is a colonial breeder, and like other Starlings, is highly gregarious, forming large winter flocks. It breeds in Eastern Europe and Western and Central Asia on stony hillsides in May and June. The breeding grounds overlaps that of migratory locust and grasshoppers thus providing the staple food of this bird and its young from the time the latter hatch. In years when Grasshoppers and other insects are abundant, it will erupt well beyond its core range.

Rosy Starling Eating Insect by S. Gulavani

It destroys locusts and grasshoppers on a large scale. 

Distinct Colouration

Rosy Starling by Anshul

Group of Rosy Starlings

Swarm of Starlings by Ashok Mashru

The Rosy Starling is one of the earliest winter visitors. It begins arriving July-August and departs mid-April. It is often in small clouds of up to 500 birds or more. The bird can be found in winter throughout India. Its abundant in N.W. India and the Deccan and diminishes in number going southwards. 

The magnificent Peacock in Flight

Photo by Daniel Stoychev

In both my Arunachala Birds and Arunachala Grace blogs I have written about and posted many excellent photographs of the Peacock, which is a very common bird in these parts. Not only is it an inhabitant of many ashrams, homes and farms, it is also lives wild in large numbers throughout the Arunachala countryside. 

The below photographs were not taken at Arunachala, and instead they are a selection of photographs from the Web of the Peacock in Flight. Where known I have accredited the photographer. 

Photo by Two Summers

Photo by Zhayynn James

Unknown photographer

Unknown Photographer

Photo by Sachin Kumar

Photo by Captain Supachat

Photo by Chandrashekar Badami

Indian Blue Robin

In my previous posting of the White Rumped Shama I mentioned that a recent article appeared in Tamil papers about the sighting of two bird species not normally seen in these parts. The earlier posting was about the White Rumped Shama, this posting is about the second bird, the Indian Blue Robin. 

Female Adult Indian Blue Robin

The migratory Indian Blue Robin generally chooses for its winter habitat dense and dark forest with undergrowth and leaf litter thus indicating, as the report points out, the improved quality of the forest around Arunachala. 

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The Indian Blue Robin (Luscinia Brunnea) is a small bird found in South Asia. The bird is also known in the Indian subcontinent by its older name of Indian Blue Chat (Erithacus brunneus). 

The Indian Blue Robin is similar in size to the sparrow. Formerly considered а Thrush, іt іs nоw considered оne оf the Old World Flycatchers іn the family Muscicapidae. 

Male Adult Indian Blue Robing scavenging for food

Although this bird is no longer is no longer categorised as a Thrush, it shares a large number of Thrush characteristics. Below is a fascinating excerpt from “Garden and Aviary Bird of India”, by Frank Finn (1915). 

“Thrushes form a very large family of birds, for in addition to the fairly large species to which the term Thrush is usually applied, the small Robins, Chats and Redstars are included in it. All these birds have a strong family resemblance, but their general appearance is hard to describe. They have a neat well-proportioned form, with wings, tail and legs, all of moderate length as a rule and their bills are small and slight. 

Observation shows that Thrushes are usually surly and solitary and they never take hold of things with their foot, but only use their bill in breaking up a large insect. They are mainly insect-eaters, but the larger species also devour a considerable amount of fruit. They are good fliers, many of them being migratory and fairly active on the ground, where the smaller kinds hop, while the large ones alternatively hop and run. “ 

Male Indian Blue Robin

The Indian Blue Robin іs migratory, breeding іn the forests along the Himalayas оf Nepal, India аnd Myanmar and wintering in the hill forests of the Western Ghats оf India аnd іn Sri Lanka. 

The adult male is a stunning bird, with blue upperparts, and underparts which are mainly bright orange with white on the lower belly and undertail. There is a long white supercilium and a black eye mask which flares out behind the eye. The female is much drabber, with brown upperparts and buff underparts, and white on the throat and belly. Young birds resemble the female, but the brown plumage looks scaly. 

Its winter habitat in the South is usually dense and dark forest with undergrowth and leaf litter. It is terrestrial, forest haunting and unobtrusive. It skulks in undergrowth and hops on the ground, frequently flicking and fanning its tail. It Keeps singly in heavy undergrowth. The Indian Blue Robin diet consists mainly of insects. 

It sings and calls in its winter grounds. The song consists of sudden and sharp series of whistles ending in a rapid series of notes. They also utter a sharp and low clicking alarm note. 

Male Indian Blue Robin

Its nest consists of a large cup of vegetation placed on the ground between the roots of large fir tree or in depression. The nest is lined with roots, hair and down. The usual clutch is four light blue eggs. Incubation is by female by feeding is by both sexes. The cuckoo Cuculus canorus has been recorded in old literature as a brood parasite of the species.

To hear the Blue Robin calling please check out this link here. 

The below video (no audio) is of the Indian Blue Robin scavenging on the ground for food.

White Rumped Shama

This week an article appeared in Tamil papers about the sighting of two birds not normally seen in these parts. The bird species are the White Rumped Shama and the Indian Blue Robin both sighted on the peripheries of Arunachala Hill.

The report noted that the Shama, the best songster of South India generally lives in evergreen forests and the fact that the species is now frequenting this area indicates the improved quality of the forest around Arunachala.

This posting, a composite of photographs and videos from the Internet, is of the White Rumped Shama. I will dedicate a separate posting to the Indian Blue Robin.

The White-Rumped Shama (Copsychus Malabaricus) is a small passerine bird of the family Muscicapidae. It tends to nest near the ground in undergrowth or low trees of lowland broadleaf forests or foothills, especially in bamboo and teak forests. This bird is one of the most beautiful songsters of India.

The Shama Singing - Responding to Whistles in the Forest 

Male Shama

It weighs between 1-1.2 ounces and measures around 10-11 inches including tail length. These birds have a slim build and long tails with graduated feathers. Males are a shiny black with a brown belly and white feathers on the rump and the outermost parts of the tail. Females are generally smaller than the males, and have a more grayish brown colouration with a light coloured belly. Both sexes have a black bill and pink feet. Juveniles have a greyish-brown colouration, similar to that of the females, with a blotchy or spotted chest. 

Male Shama bathing

As well as the distinct pattern of white feathers on its rump and outer tail, this bird is also known for its repetitive behavior of the sudden raising and gradual lowering of the tail. This bird’s diet consists of Grasshoppers, Crickets, Meal-worms, Earthworms and Guppies. 

Female Shama

The White-Rumped Shama is shy but very territorial. The territories include a male and female during the breeding season with the males defending the territory but each sex may have different territories when they are not breeding. 

Female with Nesting Material

In South Asia, this species breeds mainly in April to June laying a clutch of four or five eggs in a nest placed in the hollow of tree. During courtship, the male pursues the female, alights above the female, gives a shrill call and then flicks and fans out its tail feathers. This is followed by a rising and falling flight pattern by both sexes. If the male is unsuccessful, the female will threaten the male, gesturing with the mouth open. 

Batch of 5 Shama Eggs

The female builds a nest of roots, leaves, ferns and stems. Incubation lasts between 12-15 days and may be conducted by the female parent or by both parents. Brooding is done by females between 5 and 7 days. One egg is laid per day, yet all eggs usually hatch on the same day during the morning hours. 

Shama Hatchling in Nest

Both adults feed the young although only the female incubates and broods. The eggs are white to light aqua, with variable shades of brown blotching with dimensions of about 0.7 and 0.9 in. Hatchlings are blind and featherless. The eyes open after 6 days and feathers are completely developed after 11 days, during which time the juveniles begin to preen. 

Young Shama Chick

Arunachala Bird List 2015

With additional information of bird sightings from such sources as Indian Biodiversity website, I am posting a new list of birds sighted in Tiruvannamalai, thus updating the list I posted in 2012 at this link here.

B 

Babbler, Common (Turdoides Caudatus) 
Babbler, Large Grey (Turdoides Malcolmi) 
Babbler, Tawny Bellied (Dumetia Hyperythra) 
Babbler, Yellow Billed (Turdoides Affinish) 
Babbler, Yellow Eyed (Chrysomma Sinense) 
Barbet, Coppersmith (Megalaima Haemacephala) 
Bee Eater, Blue Tailed (Merops Philippinus) 
Bee Eater, Chestnut Headed (Merops Leschenaulti) 
Bee Eater, Green (Merops Orientalis) 
Bittern, Cinnamon (Ixobrychus Cinnamomeus) 
Bulbul, Red Vented (Pycnonotus Cafer) 
Bulbul, White Browed (Pysnonotus Luteolus) 
Bulbul, Yellow Throated (Pycnonotus Xantholaemus) 
Bush-Lark, Jerdon (Mirafra Affinis) 


C 

Chat, Pied Bush (Saxicola Caprata) 
Coot, Common (Fulica Atra)
Cormorant, Little (Phalacrocorax Pygmaeus) 
Coucal, Greater (Centropus Sinensis) 
Crow, House (Corvus Splendens) 
Crow, Large Billed (Corvus Macrohynchos) 
Cuckoo, Grey Bellied (Cacomantis Passerinus) 
Cuckoo, Pied (Clamator Jacobinus) 
Cuckoo, Indian (Cuculus Micropterus) 
Cuckoo Shrike, Black-headed (Coracina Melanoptera) 


D 

Darter (Ahinga Melanogaster) 
Dove, Laughing (Streptopelia Chinensis) 
Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto)
Dove, Spotted (Streptopelia Chinensis) 
Drongo, Black (Dicrurus Macrocercus) 
Duck, Spot-Billed (Anas Poecilorhyncha) 


E 

Eagle, Black (Ictinaetus Malayensis) 
Eagle, Crested Serpent (Spilornis Cheela) 
Eagle, Lesser Spotted (Aquila Pomarina) 
Eagle, Short Toed Snake (Circaetus Gallicus) 
Egret, Cattle (Bubulcus Ibis) 
Egret, Great (Casmerodius Albus) 
Egret, Intermediate (Egretta) 
Egret, Little (Egretta Garzetta) 


F 

Falcon, Peregrine (Falco Peregrinus) 
Flowerpecker, Pale Billed (Dicaeum Erythrorhynchos) 
Flycatcher, Asian Brown (Muscicapa Dauurica) 
Flycatcher, Asian Paradise (Terpsiphone Paradisi) 
Flycatcher, Tickells Blue (Cyornis Tickelliae) 
Francolin, Gray (Francolinus Pondicerianus) 


G 

Garganey (Anas Querquedula) 
Grebe, Little (Tachybaptus Ruficollis) 


H 

Harrier, Pied (Circus Melanoleucos) 
Heron, Black-Crowned Night (Nycticorax Nycticorax) 
Heron, Grey (Ardea Cinerea) 
Heron, Indian Pond (Ardeola Gravyii) 
Heron, Purple (Ardea Purpurea) 
Hoopoe, Common (Upupa Epops) 


I 

Ibis, Black Headed (Threskiornis Melanocephalus) 
Ibis, Glossy (Plegadis Falcinellus) 
Iora, Common (Aegithina Tiphia) 
Indian Pitta (Pitta Brachyura) 

J 

Jacana, English Pheasant Tailed (Hydrophasianus Chirurgus) 
Jungle Bush Quail (Perdicula Asiatica) 


K 

Kestrel, Common (Falco Tinnunculus) 
Kingfisher, Common (Alcedo Atthis) 
Kingfisher, Pied (Ceryle Rudis) 
Kingfisher, White Throated (Halcyon Smyrnensis) 
Kite, Black (Milvus Migrans) 
Kite, Black Shouldered (Elanus Caeruleus) 
Kite, Brahminy (Haliastur Indus) 
Koel, Asian (Edynamys Scolopaceus) 


L 

Lapwing, Yellow Wattled (Vanellus Malarbaricus) 
Lapwing, Red Wattled (Vanellus Indicus) 
Lark, Ashy Crowned Sparrow (Eremopterix Grisea) 
Lark, Rufous Tailed (Ammomanes Phoenicurus) 
Leaf Bird, Gold Fronted (Chloropsis Aurifrons) 


M 

Malkoha, Blue Faced (Phaenicophaeus Viridirostris) 
Malkoha, Sirkeer (Phaenicophaeus Leschenaultii) 
Minivet, Small (Pericrocotus Cinnamomeus) 
Monarch-Flycatcher, Black-Naped (Hypothymis Azurea) 
Moorhen, Common (Callinula Cholorupus) 
Munia, Scaly Breasted (Lonchura Punctulata) 
Mynah, Common (Acridtheres Tristis) 


N 

Nightjar, Indian (Caprimulgus Asiaticus) 


O 

Oriole, Eurasian Golden (Oriolus Oriolus) 
Owl, Barn (Tyto Alba) 
Owl, Collared Scops (Otus Bakkamoena) 
Owl, Eurasian Eagle (Bubo Bubo) 
Owl, Mottled Wood (Strix Leptogrammica) 
Owlet, Spotted (Athenebrama) 


P 

Painted Spur Fowl (Galloperdix Lunulata) 
Parakeet, Rose Ringed (Psittacula Krameri) 
Peafowl, Indian (Pavo Cristatus) 
Pigeon, Rock (Columba Livia) 
Pintail, Northern (Anas Acuta) 
Pipit, Paddyfield (Anthus Rufulus) 
Pitta, Indian (Pitta Brachyura) 
Prinia, Ashy (Prinia Socialis) 
Prinia, Plain (Prinia Inornata) 


R 

Redstart, Black (Phoenicurus Ochruros) 
Robin, Indian (Saxicolides Fulicata) 
Robin, Indian Blue (Luscinia Brunnea) 
Robin, Oriental Magpie (Copsychus Saularis) 
Roller, Indian (Coracias Bengalensis)


S 

Sandpiper, Green (Tringa Glareola) 
Shag, Indian (Phalacrocorax Fuscicollis) 
Shama, White Rumped (Copsychus Malabaricus) 
Shikra (Accipiter Badius) 
Shoveller, Northern (Anas Clypeata) 
Shrike, Bay-Backed (Lanius Vittatus) 
Shrike, Black Headed Cuckoo (Coracina Melanoptera) 
Shrike, Brown (Lanius Cristatus) 
Shrike, Common Wood (Tephrodornis Gularis) 
Shrike, Southern Grey (Lanius Meridionalis) 
Silverbill, Indian (Lonchura Malabarica) 
Skylark, Oriental (Alauda Gulgula) 
Sparrow, Yellow Throated (Petronia Xanthocollis) 
Sparrow, House (Passer Domesticus) 
Spoon Bill, Asian (Anastomus Oscitans)
Spoon Bill, Eurasian (Platalea Leucorodia) 
Spurfowl, Painted (Galloperdix Lunulata) 
Sunbird, Loten's (Nectarinia Lotenia) 
Sunbird, Purple (Nectarina Asiastica) 
Sunbird, Purple Rumped (Nectarina Zeylonica) 
Starling, Brahminy (Sturnus Pagodarum) 
Starling, Rosy (Sturnus Roseus)
Stilt, Black-Winged (Himantopus Himantopus) 
Stint, Little (Calidris Minuta) 
Stone Curlew, Eurasian Thick Knee (Burhinus Oedicnemus) 
Stork, Asian Open Billed (Anastomus Oscitan)
Stork, Painted (Mycterria Leucocephala) 
Swallow, Red Rumped (Hirundo Daurica) 
Swamphen, Purple (Porphyrio Porphyrio) 
Swift, Asian Palm (Cypsiurus Balasiensis) 
Swift, House (Apus Affinis) 


T 

Tailorbird, Common (Orthotomus Sutorius) 
Thrush, Blue Rock (Monticola Solitarius) 
Thrush, Oranged Headed (Zoothera Citrina) 
Treepie, Rufous (Dendrocitta Vagabunda) 


W 

Wagtail, Forest (Dendronanthus Indicus) 
Wagtail, White Browed (Motacilla Madaraspatensish 
Warbler, Blyth's Reed (Acrocephalus Dumetorum) 
Waterhen, White Breasted (Amaurornis Phoenicurus) 
Weaver, Baya (Ploceus Philippinus) 
Woodpecker, Black Rumped Flameback (Dinopium Benghalense) 
Wryneck, Eurasian (Jynx Torquilla) 

Indian Pitta (Pitta Brachyura)

The name of this bird in Tamil which is derived from its behaviour is Kathelachi (wind-blown) and Arumani Kuruvi (six-o’clock bird). Calling at dawn and dusk occurs on the wintering grounds, thus the reason for its Tamil name which translates as the ‘six-o’clock bird’.

It is a small stubby-tailed bird that is mostly seen on the floor of forests or under dense undergrowth, foraging on insects in leaf litter. It has long, strong legs, a very short tail and stout bill, with a buff coloured crown stripe, black coronal stripes, a thick black eye stripe and white throat and neck. The upperparts are green, with a blue tail, the underparts buff, with bright red on the lower belly and vent.

Illustration from Alfred Brehm's Tierleben

The four species of Asian Pitta that share buff underparts and conspicuous blue wing patches are the – Indian Pitta, Pitta Brachyura, Fairy Pitta, P. Nympha, Blue-winged Pitta, P. Moluccensis, and Mangrove Pitta, P. Megarhyncha – these four are clearly closely related species that sometimes overlap. To read in full about the identification of the various species of Pittas go to this link here.

Adult Pitta feeding

The Indian Pitta is a medium-sized passerine bird the size of a small Mynah and found throughout India. It is mainly terrestrial and roosts in trees. It affects wooded country and is fond of dry water channels and ravines with tangled undergrowth. The Indian Pitta (also sometimes known as the Bengal Pitta), hops along like Thrush turning over dead leaves and digging into damp earth for insects and grubs which comprise its food. This bird feed on insects and other small invertebrates that are usually picked up from the ground or leaf litter. They have also been noted to take kitchen food scraps from the ground.

Bird singing

Tail pattern photo by Kavisuman

The Indian Pitta’s call is a clear short double whistle (of monosyllabic notes) ‘wheeet-tieu’ or ‘wieet-pyou’ or occasionally, a triple note ‘hh-wit-wiyu’. When calling the head is thrown back and the bill is pointed upwards. Its stumpy tail wags slowly and deliberately up and down.

Pitta making Nest

Beautiful video showing the nesting Indian Pitta 

Young Chicks in Nest

Immature Pitta

The Indian Pittas' local migrations are controlled by the SW monsoon. It roosts in trees and breeds during the south-west monsoon from May to August. The nest is a globular structure with a circular opening on one side built on the ground or on low branches. It is made up of dry leaves and grasses. The clutch is four to five eggs which are very glossy white and spherical with spots and speckles of deep maroon or purple.

 Indian Pitta photo by P. Maheria

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The below is an extract from a Book published in 1915 by a Western Ornithologist Frank Finn, resident for many years in North India near Calcutta. Many of his observations are droll and charming. 

The Pittas By Frank Finn 

Garden and Aviary Birds of India (1915) 

“This bird is found all through the warm parts of India, usually keeping to jungle though coming into gardens. They are about equal to a small Mynah in size, but in form and action more resemble the Thrush, with which they used to be classed. Their bills are rather stouter than an ordinary Thrush’s and their legs longer, while their tails are absurdly short and hardly noticeable. 

In colour it is green above and buff below, with the head broadly streaked with black and drab, the throat white, and a patch under the tail scarlet. On the shoulder of the wing, and just above the root of the very short tail, are patches of intense shining sky-blue, and the flight feathers of the wings are black with a large white patch, as in the House Mynah. The bill is salmon-coloured and black, and the legs flesh-coloured, the eyes being dark brown. 

Their ordinary movements are very graceful, and their gestures when excited are most amusing. Sometimes they will stand bolt upright, at others crouch down; and in either position they will often expand their wings, an action which has a most ludicrously oratorical appearance when they are standing up. With other birds they seem to be quite harmless, even with much smaller ones, but they are liable to fight savagely amongst themselves.

They live mostly on the ground, and do not perch much; but unlike most ground birds, they never run, but always hop, though they get along in this manner very swiftly and gracefully. They are fairly good flyers but usually keep low down. They seem to feed entirely on insects and other small animals and they are not at all sociable, being usually seen alone. They do not sing, but their plumage is usually remarkably brilliant and beautiful, and shows a great variety of patterns. The bird builds a big round nest of twigs and leaves. This is either actually on the ground or on a low branch. The eggs are lustrous white with deep red and purple spots. 

The cock and hen are alike, and the young closely resemble them, being merely duller in colour below, where there is also a slight dark edging to the feathers. 

The Indian Pitta (or Bengal Pitta) is known as “nine colours” and is the most familiar of all pittas being found all over Indian and Ceylon. It is to a certain extent migratory, going south in the Winter and returning to the northern provinces in the hot weather and rains, though some birds appear never to change their quarters."

The Stately Peacock

There are a number of postings on Arunachala Birds, about the commonly found Peacock at Arunachala. Details of this bird can be viewed on Arunachala Birds at this link here, and excellent photos at links here and here. On my Arunachala Grace blog at this link here I have written about legendary birds in Hinduism including the Chataka (Pied Crested Cuckoo), Hamsa (the Swan), Chakor, and the Garuda. As the Peacock is so well represented in Hindu mythology, I am dedicating this posting to the legend and symbolism of this beautiful bird.

Hindu mythology describes the Peacock as vahana (vehicle) for Lord Kartikeya and Goddess Kaumari. In addition the Peacock is closely associated with Lord Krishna, as this God is often depicted with Peacock feathers on his head. The Peacock is featured in ancient Indian stories, songs and poems as a symbol of beauty and poise. Two examples of such literature are the epic poems of Kalidasa (Meghadutam and Kumarasambhava). This bird is often a prominent motif in Rajasthani and Mughal schools of paintings. In the Jataka tale “Mahamayur Jataka” the earlier birth of Lord Buddha is described as being that of a golden Peacock. 

Legend states that the bird was created from the feathers of Garuda, another semi-divine bird of Hindu mythology. In images of the Peacock as a mythical bird, it is depicted as killing a snake, which according to a number of Hindu scriptures, is a symbol of the cycle of time. The feathers of this bird are often used to dust sacred items and implements used in Hindu ceremonies and ritual. 

As the bird’s mating season coincides with the onset of monsoon rains, many songs of rains have the Peacock-dance mentioned in them. One possible origin of the name of the famous Maurya dynasty of ancient India is believed to be derived from the word “Mayura” as the ancestors of the Mauryas were thought to be Peacock-keepers of a Royal Court in eastern India.

Child’s Fable, Tortoise and the Peacock 

A Peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The Peacock lived on a tree on the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home; and daily the Peacock after he had a drink of water danced near the stream and displayed his gay plumage to his friend. 

One day, a bird-catcher caught the Peacock and was about to take him away to market when the unhappy bird begged of his captor to allow him to bid his friend the tortoise farewell. The bird-catcher allowed him his prayer and took him to the tortoise, who was greatly moved to see his friend a captive. 

The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the Peacock go; but the rogue laughed at the request, saying bird-catching was his means of livelihood. The tortoise then offered the bird-catcher a valuable present in exchange for releasing his friend. Whereupon the tortoise dived into the water and came up with a beautiful pearl and the bird catcher released the Peacock. 

A short time after, the man returned and threatened to catch the bird again if he wasn’t give more valuables. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to hide in the distant jungle on being set free was enraged at the man’s greed, thereupon he took the first pearl from the bird-catcher on the pretext of finding an exact match for it. The tortoise swam out to the middle of the lake and wasn't seen again -- leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry that his greed had caused him the loss of his first pearl and no chance of any additional treasures. 

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In general, the Peacock is representative of glory, clarity of vision, spirituality, awakening, refinement, immortality, royalty, and incorruptibility. In history, myth, legend and lore, the Peacock is considered an emblem of protection, nobility, watchfulness, guidance, and holiness. All Peacocks are considered sacred, but the White Peacock is the most sacred as it represents purity of Consciousness. The Peacock is possessor of many admired human characteristics. Themes of renewal are also link to this bird and many traditions compare the resurrecting Phoenix to the modern-day Peacock.

Because of this birds’ loud and raucous call, Peacocks were often used in Temples and important places as guardians as their loud call sounded an alarm when visitors approached. In other traditions the Peacock is a symbol of immortality because ancients believed that the Peacock had flesh that did not decay after death. As this bird replaces its feathers annually, it is also regarded as a symbol of renewal. Alchemists thought the tail-fan of the Peacock to be associated with certain texts and images useful in turning base metals into gold. The Peacock has the ability to eat poisonous snakes without harm and the shimmering colours of its tail feathers were explained by his supposed ability to transform snake venom into solar iridescence. 

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A recent report about “Why Peacock tails are attractive,” (to the female Peahen) recently appeared on the BBC website:- 

“Scientists in the US have used eye-tracking cameras to work out exactly what peahens find alluring in a peacock's tail fan. The male birds grow their trains of iridescent feathers during the mating season, fanning them out and rattling them to attract a mate. 

This team of biologists fitted peahens with eye-trackers to find out what they looked at during this display. The eye-tracking footage revealed how difficult it is to keep a peahen's attention, which helps explain why such a large and elaborately decorated tail fan evolved. 

It also gave clues about what a peahen looks for in this tail fan. Side-to-side eye movements suggested that females were gauging the fan's width and that they were most interested in the striking eyespots on the feathers. 

To find out why the peacock's train is quite so cumbersome and elaborate, the scientists set out to understand what it takes to impress a peahen. The researchers trained 12 peahens to wear eye-tracking equipment. This consisted of two tiny cameras on a head mount. One recorded the scene in front of the bird and the other recorded eye movement. 

Rather than looking up at the high crescent of the fan above the peacock's head, the eye-trackers revealed that females looked primarily at the lower portions of the train. The experiments showed that females constantly shifted their attention between the environment and the peacock's tail. “If females are not alert and focus completely on a displaying male, they may end up as a tiger's dinner!” 

The research suggests that the peacock's tail has had to evolve to eclipse all the other things competing for a female's attention. It also raised the question of why the tail fans are held so high if the females focus most of their attention on the lower portion. The researchers hypothesis is that, “In their natural habitat in India, vegetation is very high and all you can see is the upper train of their fan-tail . . . so we think it's a long-distance signal to the hen."