The peacock, revered for its unparalleled beauty, has a history steeped in fascinating cultural and historical connections. Did you know that along with its significance in Indian culture, the peacock features in Greek mythology as well? Peacocks are known to be the birds that pulled the chariot of Hera, the queen of the gods, elevating these avians to a sacred status.
The Sumerian epic Enki and the World Order (1800–1600 BCE) from ancient Mesopotamia offers one of the earliest literary references to the bird. Even the Old Testament references peacocks, with Israel’s King Solomon receiving imports of these birds from Muziris, an ancient Indian port, around 950 BCE. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for peacock, tavas, is believed to have been derived from the Tamil word togai, which refers to value. Peacock feathers were always highly valued and were extensively traded during ancient times, solidifying its status in the global milieu.
Evidence of the peacock’s prominence in India is found in the Bhimbetka rock paintings of Madhya Pradesh that date back to the Neolithic period approximately 30,000 years ago. Later, peacock motifs adorned the courts of the Mauryan and Mughal empires: the former empire finds the roots of its name in the Sanskrit word mora, while the latter had the priceless Peacock Throne, made in gold, built for Shah Jahan.
These ancient depictions underscore how peacocks have long enchanted human beings. From symbolising resurrection and immortality in Christian art, to embodying harmony and dignity in Chinese traditions, the peacock’s legacy transcends India’s borders, making it one of the most cherished birds in human history.
What is a Peafowl?
Though these birds are commonly called peacocks, one must note that a ‘peacock’ refers to the male birds, while a ‘peahen’ is the female. Collectively, they are known as peafowls. Peafowls are members of the Phasianidae family, which includes pheasants and turkeys. There are three species of peafowls that exist—Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Green peafowl (Pavo muticus), and Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis). The peacock’s train, or tail feathers, features eye-like patterns created by microscopic crystal-like structures that reflect its vibrant colours. During mating displays, these feathers create a shimmering effect as the peacock performs its signature dance known as “train-rattling”. This movement not only attracts peahens, but also showcases the male’s health and genetic fitness.
Peacocks naturally shed their feathers in a process called moulting after the breeding season. This takes place harmlessly, once every year. However, peacocks have been subjected to forced plucking of their feathers, which causes them severe physical injuries, infections, and even death, and also inflicts psychological trauma. This practice disrupts their essential behaviours like flight, mating displays, and territory defense. The demand for feathers in fashion, décor, and rituals drives this cruelty, leaving injured peacocks stressed, immobile, and unable to perform their natural conduct that is crucial for their survival.
Poaching, habitat loss, illegal trade, and predation by feral animals are some of the factors threatening peafowls in India. The lockdown that took place during Covid in 2019 prompted poachers in the peacock-rich belt of western Rajasthan to hunt these birds for their feathers and meat, with reported incidents of poison-laced grains used in Churu, Nagaur, and Bikaner.
Activists claim that all parts of a peacock are being sold for various purposes. Cases of unnatural deaths recorded in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are often found to be due to pesticide poisoning, however, earlier this year, hunters in Karnataka’s Belagavi used poisonous seeds that killed 11 peafowls for their meat, proving this to be a dominant and wide scale practice. It has also been reported that to acquire peacock feathers, pesticides have been mixed in the waterholes the birds use that poison them. Peacocks are targeted more than peafowls, which creates an imbalance in the sex ratio of the species. Feral predators, especially dogs, further threaten these avians that reside near human settlements.
Illegal Trade due to Legal Loopholes
The peafowl is protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, the highest level of legal protection afforded to wildlife in India. Killing, poaching, or trade of peafowls are strictly prohibited. Section 51(1-A) of the Act prescribes severe penalties, including imprisonment from three to seven years and a fine not less than ₹25,000 for those found guilty of killing the species. Despite these stringent measures, the illegal trade in peacock feathers thrives due to loopholes in the law. The WPA permits the sale of naturally shed feathers that are shed annually by peacocks during the moulting season. However, this provision continues to be widely exploited. Traders and poachers often claim that the feathers they sell are shed naturally, but whether this is true or not cannot be verified easily.
A study on identifying peacock feathers was published by members of Wildlife Institute of India in 2007 and suggested that roots of the naturally shed feathers have a conical tapering towards the end, while the tips of plucked feathers are less conical in comparison. Plucked feathers are also certain to have blood stains on their roots, as the feather had still been in a growing stage. These indications can be further studied to prevent the illegal trade of peacock feathers.
Additionally, the timing and location from where feathers are collected can also provide clues. Feathers sold in bulk in non-moulting seasons and far from peacock habitats are often a result of illegal activities. The sheer volume of feathers found in markets raises suspicion, as a single peacock sheds only around 150–200 feathers annually, yet thousands are on display for sale. Awareness campaigns that emphasise on such vital knowledge can help reduce the demand of these feathers and encourage people to report suspicious activities to wildlife authorities.
Misuse of the law undermines the several ongoing wildlife conservation efforts. Sections 43, 44, and 49(A) of WPA allow the sale and possession of peacock feathers as wildlife trophies, and this is often circumvented by traders who falsely certify feathers as being legitimately found.
The global demand for peacock feathers stems from their vibrant hues, cultural significance, and diverse uses. They are highly prized in fashion, home décor, and crafts, appearing in couture garments, jewellery, accessories, household items like fans and wall art and luxury interiors like lampshades, centerpieces and upholstery. Religiously, they hold symbolic importance across traditions, while in medicine, Ayurveda and Siddha attribute healing properties to them. Feathers are also used as talismans in superstitions and are popular for crafting fly-fishing lures in the West.
While collecting naturally shed feathers for these is right, poaching peacocks to acquire them is unlawful and unethical. Moreover, in certain Indian regions, peacocks are hunted down for their meat, oil and other body parts for traditional medicines or to be marketed as exotic products. This multifaceted threat underscores the urgent need for monitoring the overexploitation of peacocks.
Peafowl Rescues by Wildlife SOS
Sadly, apart from feather plucking, peafowls in urban localities face additional threats that include attacks by street dogs. Wildlife SOS’s Rapid Response Teams have handled multiple peafowl rescues, reflecting the organisation’s unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife.
One of the most high-profile rescues took place in New Delhi at the Prime Minister’s residence in September this year, where a peacock had wandered into a high-security area. Close inspection by the Wildlife SOS team revealed that the peacock was suffering from injuries after its feathers had been cruelly plucked out. This peacock was also a victim of canine bites. Medical aid was promptly provided to the peacock, and it was released into the wild after its complete recovery.
Along with feather plucking, infrastructure constructions often pose threats to peacocks found within areas inhabited by humans. In 2022, a peacock trapped inside a 50-foot borewell located in Agra’s Gangaura village was rescued by Wildlife SOS after a concerned villager alerted our rescue team on its 24-hour helpline. The Rapid Response Unit swiftly extricated the bird, conducted an on-site medical check-up, and safely released it back into its natural habitat.
In a startling incident that took place in 2019, Wildlife SOS promptly arrived at the capital city’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after a peacock was found injured on the runway. This posed a high risk to both the bird and airport operations. After a thorough medical examination, the peacock was released into a suitable habitat.
The peacock, India’s national bird, stands as a symbol of beauty, culture, and ecological importance. Yet, the soaring demand for its feathers targets this majestic species. The illicit trade wreaks havoc on peafowls, causing severe physical and emotional trauma while sabotaging vital conservation initiatives designed to safeguard their populations. Despite the presence of protective laws, poachers and traders relentlessly exploit legal gaps. Every stolen feather bears witness to a tale of agony—a muted outcry against the insatiable greed driving this cruel industry.
By refusing to purchase peacock feather products, and being aware of how this trade impacts the bird, the safety of these iconic birds can be ensured. The peacock’s dance, once a symbol of life and vitality, must not become a mere memory of nature’s remarkable creation, lost to human avarice. Let us protect these spectacular birds and their habitats, so that future generations can witness their grace as well.
In case you spot a distressed animal in your locality, reach out to the nearest wildlife authorities for immediate assistance. If you reside in any of the following locations, contact Wildlife SOS’s Rapid Response Units, which are available 24×7:
– Delhi-NCR: +91-9871963535
– Agra, Uttar Pradesh: +91-9917109666
– Vadodara, Gujarat: +91-9825011117
– Jammu & Kashmir: +91-7006692300 or +91-9419778280
By supporting coexistence and spreading awareness, we can help create a safe and balanced environment for humans and wildlife. Together, we can ensure that the peacock remains a vital part of India’s natural heritage.
