Peacocks love to show their plumage and in past posts I have talked about King, our big adult peacock, and shared pictures of him in all his glory. Spring seems to be the time of year they do this the most and it’s fantastic to watch.
So the above photos mystify me a bit. Firstly, this is not a peacock (male), it is a peahen (female) and, secondly, it is Autumn here in Western Australia, not Spring. Nevertheless, this wonderful peahen pirouetted nonstop this morning, just outside the back door. None of her sisters and brothers were around; it was just the two of us.
jmgoyder 
Ahh, that explains it – as the photos appeared I was sure there was something a little odd with this Peacock! What a stunner she is in her own right. Watch out Peacocks, you’ve got some competition.
I must do some research to find out if this is normal behaviour. On the other hand, who cares if it isn’t!
Julie she is just beautiful. Well done with the photography!
Thanks! I just took some quick pics but a real photographer would say they were crap – oh well!
HI,
Great photos, she is obviously doing a bit of a dance, she is beautiful. 🙂
I can’t wait to see if she does it again tomorrow morning!
Luckily I am not a real photogrpaher. I thought the pictures were great. Perhaps she just felt that you hadn’t been appreciating her enough. She looks wonderful.
Thank you, Tom! I will certainly appreciate her more from now on! Julie
But you are a real photographer!
Love her beauty and gracious presentation to you. What a special treat!
She is great isn’t she – thank you!
Gorgeous! 🙂
She sure is!
Julie, remember when we were little and we used to like to twirl in circles to watch our full skirts swing out? 😉
~ Lynda
(If you never wore really full skirts in the 50s and 60s, then you will have no idea what I am talking about…)
Oh that is lovely! I do remember.
[…] Around in circles (jmgoyder.com) […]
Hi — bird physiologist here. I think your hen was having a little surge of testosterone (the ovary does synthesize it in females) due to the decreasing daylength during your autumn. Males often have this surge of T in the fall, which is smaller than the surge they get in the spring, but is enough to make them sing (or display). It’s kind of like what happens in the spring (increasing daylength), but is enough of a stimulus to the brain to spur some reproductive behavior. In the spring, however, a hen’s ovary is producing massive amounts of estrogen that would overshadow the testosterone. Just a guess, mind you, not backed up by scientific evidence.
Thanks for this wonderful description/explanation – it makes perfect sense!
She’s beautiful! I haven’t seen a female do that. Could she see her reflection in the door? I’ve seen birds do crazy things looking in the side mirrors on car doors and other reflective glass. My daughter has chickens, and they are so entertaining. Have a lovely evening, my dear.
Yes she could see her reflection all right!
[…] Around in circles (jmgoyder.com) […]
She’s a beauty – standing so tall and proud!
For some reason she’s not outside the back door this morning so maybe that little dance was a one-off!
Maybe this peahen has a male ego. I know some women like that. Why not a bird?
Aha!
What a lovely bird and a special treat for you. I wonder if the girl might be gay? It happens in people, logic says it must happen in animals. I’d enjoy her regardless. Such a pretty display just for you. She must think you’re very special, and I’d bet she’s right.
I never thought of gay – yeah maybe.
Beautiful pictures!
Thx
Great series of photos Julie,
I’ve never seen a peahen display her feathers like this (only a peacock). Thanks for sharing this – you learn something new everyday on other people’s blogs.
I must look it up and see if it’s ‘normal’.
Perhaps she’s thinking about her nest? Love this! My peacock, Figaro, has been displaying and round-and-rounding so much these past few weeks! It is always so captivating to watch!
Tell me more about Figaro! Do you have a blog?
Yes, I do. I don’t have a particular blog for Figaro, just my general farm/family/life blog of http://www.wingandaprayerfarm.com .
Figaro is a white peacock, and Jewel is his hen, a white peahen. They are 3 and 4 years old now, and last year Jewel did lay some eggs in the spring, but alas, nothing came of it. I’m hoping they’ll try again this year. Will definitely share if that is the case! (As in, blog about it!)
Sorry – I didn’t realise you were wingandaprayer that I subscribe to – sometimes it’s a bit confusing as to who is whom!
no worries! i understand completely – it does get confusing with zillions of blogs out there – so many great places to visit!
Fascinating!
She was doing a show for you because she knows you needed a smile. Birds know!!
You are probably right!
Beautiful! It is so funny how she is showing off. 🙂
Bella and DiDi
How marvellous – I’ve never seen a peahen do that! Well captured, Julie
The peacocks at the Zoo yesterday were showing off all their glory. Got some great pictures. Eventually I need to get some video that includes their squawking.
Good idea!