Do you know the National Birds of these countries?

Do you know which is the National Bird of India? 

The answer is quite simple.

The National Bird of India is the Indian Peafowl. 

But do you know why the Indian peafowl is the national bird and not a crow or a pigeon, or any other bird? What is its significance?

National birds are more than just convenient symbols that are put on official seals, stamps, and currency or flags. They represent something notable in the country itself and are very carefully selected. While numerous myths and stories abound as to why a specific bird represents a country, there is a list of criteria that needs to be fulfilled for a bird to become a nation’s representative. For instance, a bird can be the official bird of a country if:

1. 1. It is religiously rich and is involved in several traditions and culture of that country.
   2. Is an endemic species and is found nowhere else. 
   3. It is a representative of qualities the nation values, such as strength, bravery, unity, and elegance.
   4. It must be widely present and well-distributed within the country.
   5. Common people must be familiar with the bird.
   6. It must lend itself to formal depiction, i.e. abstract depiction on government publications, etc.
   7. The bird is associated with several local myths and stories.
   8. Lastly, it is not confused with the national emblem of any other country.

The Indian peafowl fulfils almost all of these criteria and is a symbol of grace and beauty that identifies Indian culture. Hence, the government of India declared the peafowl as the National Bird of India in 1963.

Indian Peafowl, Pavo cristatus, is the National Bird of India since 1963. Gif source: tenor

In that case, you might be wondering, do all countries have a national bird?

The answer is No!

Not all countries have national birds. And in some countries, the national bird might even lack the official government acknowledgement of its honorary status. Not just that, the criteria for selection of a national bird differs from country to country. For example, certain countries might select their national birds for their stunning beauty or melodious voices, while others may select ritualistic generalisations of birds rather than individual species. For example, Canada, a home to at least 426 bird species, does not have any national bird of their own!

Gif Source: Giphy

Do you want to know the national birds of other countries? Let’s look at 15 of them.

Regardless of how these birds are chosen by their countries, these avian ambassadors are important symbols and together with the other national elements, they help their country’s pride take flight.

Did you learn something new today? Do tell us in the comments below.

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