| Argus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genera | |
The Argus is a type of bird in the family Phasianidae and is closely related to pheasants and peafowl. It has hundreds or thousands of tiny white spots on its plumage pattern, and thus its naming might have been in reference to the mythical hundred-eyed giant argus or Argus Panoptes.
There are two genera of birds that are considered Arguses: Rheinardia and Argusianus. Within these genera there are two recognized species each with two subspecies. Argusianus also has a mysterious second species that is sometime thought to have gone extinct, but most likely is based on a simple aberration.
In popular culture, the Argus was the animal form inspiration for the multicolored NBC mascot/branding element hand-sketched in 1956 by John J. Graham. To this day, inside NBC the bird is known to be an Argus, not a peacock which the general public believes to be the bird type. Historically NBC has made little effort outside of its company walls to correct the general public on the Argus/peacock matter.