It's always a pleasant surprise when, during a morning walk, I come face to face with a male Pavo cristatus, commonly known as Indian peafowl...
Especially when we have the opportunity to witness his dazzling open tail, as you can see in some of the photos below!
In Portugal, this is an exotic species, brought to my country after the discovery of the maritime route to India, made under the command of the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama during the reign of King Manuel I, between 1497 and 1498.
Nowadays, this bird beautifies public parks and gardens, as well as some private manors, where they live peacefully in freedom.
I can only imagine the astonished faces of the European courts when they saw this mesmerizing bird for the first time!
The photos below were taken in the public garden of the city of Évora (Alentejo region, Portugal).
Pavo cristatus, male (Évora, Portugal) © David Germano | All rights reserved.
Pavo cristatus, male (Évora, Portugal) © David Germano | All rights reserved.
Pavo cristatus, male (Évora, Portugal) © David Germano | All rights reserved.
Pavo cristatus, male (Évora, Portugal) © David Germano | All rights reserved.
Pavo cristatus, male (Évora, Portugal) © David Germano | All rights reserved.
