The name peacock actually applies only to the male. The female is a peahen, and together they are called peafowl. Both of them are very pretty, but it is the male that has the most beauty with his thirty-inch body and five-foot tail. Each feather over his entire body is patterned with a brilliant iridescent “eye.” He seems to enjoy displaying this beauty by frequently spreading his tail and parading around.
These birds are native to Asian countries but have adapted easily to the many places where they have been taken. The Bible tells us that King Solomon imported them to Israel, probably to roam in his lovely gardens. The pharaohs of Egypt also imported them.
There are two main color types. One is known as the blue Indian. It has a metallic blue-green neck and breast, with purplish-blue underparts and a long train of greenish feathers. The blue Indian is the national bird of India.
The other is called Java green, and it has metallic bronze plumage and a crest of long, straight feathers on its head. It is the more splendid and stately of the two species, with longer and slimmer legs. Its face is blue or yellow, and the crest of its head forms a long, straight tuft of fully barbed feathers.
Both types are beautiful, but the blues are more popular because they are even-tempered. The greens are always fighting among themselves and sometimes attack people. The females (hens) of both varieties are pretty and almost as large as the cocks, but they lack the long train of feathers and crowns.
The “eyes” of the feathers on nearly all peacocks appear as a deep purple-green pupil, centered in an orange iris, topped with yellow, lavender and green semi-circles. How faithfully the design follows the pattern given by the Creator when He first placed them on the earth! Each generation of peacocks repeats the design perfectly.
The only thing that spoils these unusually pretty birds is their voice. It is disappointing to hear their harsh, rough cries that sound like fighting cats or someone desperately calling for help.
“Proud as a peacock” is a common expression. Of course, the peacocks do not know about it. But we who have the Bible to read and follow know that we should not let pride come into our hearts and minds. One Bible verse states: “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down; and the Lord alone shall be exalted” (Isaiah 2:1111The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:11)). May we always remember to be humble and give all praise to Him, “the Son of God, who loved [us], and gave Himself for [us]” (Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)).
ML-02/12/2012