Shyness - Indian Peafowl, Pavo Cristatus

“Many a man is praised for his reserve and so-called shyness when he is simply too proud to risk making a fool of himself.”

An unusual pic of of an Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) . Unususal because of the black background, which makes this pic stand out from the 'other' preening pics.

The term peafowl can refer to the two species of bird in the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. Peafowl are best known for the male's extravagant tail, which it displays as part of courtship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peahen, though it is common to hear the female also referred to as a "peacock" or "female peacock". The female peafowl is brown or toned grey and brown.

Many of the brilliant colours of the peacock plumage are due to an optical interference phenomenon (Bragg reflection) based on (nearly) periodic nanostructures found in the barbules (fiber-like components) of the feathers.