These incredible photos of the majestic peacock in mid-flight are breathtaking.

Colorful and extravagant, peacocks are one of the most beautiful birds on earth. With over 200 shimmering feathers, each one decorated with eyespots, these birds are fun to watch.

Most people use the term "peacock" to describe both male and female birds. But 'peacock' is actually a name that refers to the male peafowl.

The female peafowls are known as peahens, while the young ones are known as peachicks.

There are three species of peafowls.

The first species is the Indian peafowl, which originates from the Indian subcontinent.

And the second type is the Green Peafowl that's native to South Asia. It features chrome green, and bronze feathers.

The Green Peacock is also an endangered species, according to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Its population has declined significantly during the latter half of the 20th century. This is due to hunting and the destruction of the birds' natural habitats.

The third species is the Congo peafowl, indigenous to Africa, particularly from the Congo Basin. The cock is mainly blue and green with a short rounded tail. The hen is reddish and green with a brown topknot.

Peacocks are best known for their beautiful eye-spotted tail feathers. During a display, the peacock raises its plumage to form a fan that stretches out nearly 2 meters in length.

According to National Geographic, the colorful display is a way of attracting females for mating purposes. It also makes the peacock look bigger and intimidating if threatened.

Peacocks are also one of the largest flying birds, according to studies.

Their total length can reach near 8 feet. And their tail feathers can be as long as 6 feet, accounting for up to 60 percent of the bird's full length.

Despite their massive size (weigh about 9-13 pounds), these birds can still fly.

However, they can't sustain their flight for long periods. So their flying is limited to short distances.

Typically, these birds flutter long enough to attain flight. They start by running, then hops, and finally leaps into the air.

Their large tails assist the birds when they're about to land—allowing the peacock to glide to the ground until it lands on its feet.

The reason it's rare to see peacocks flying is that they only do so when facing danger. When predators appear, the bird starts running and flutter into the air.

Surprisingly, their long feathers don't affect their take-offs, and the bird can speed up to 16 km/h (10mph).

Here are some breathtaking pictures of these birds in mid-flight.