We only have one adult peacock who we call King. I bought him and his ‘wife’ from some people who wanted goats instead (I haven’t quite been able to figure that one out but then again I did have my pig phase didn’t I). King spends his days strutting around looking regal, or perched on top of the old dairy roof surveying his kingdom. Our other 15 peacocks are adolescents and they keep their distance, as if in awe.
When we have visitors, everyone always wants to see King do his fantail thing but he will not be coerced even if I give him a bit of bribery bread.
Inevitably, the moment the visitors leave, and I’m the only human witness, he begins his dance. It starts with a rustling sound, then his whole body shakes, then the feathers come up and he circles slowly. He can maintain this dance for up to an hour, especially if he can see himself in the reflection of a window (so he is often blocking the back door and I have to stroke his feathers down to get past!)
As you can see he is also quite proud of his substantial bum! The funniest thing about this ritual, however, is that instead of all the young females (the peahens) watching and waiting, hoping they’ll be the first he asks to dance, it’s the young males who are most impressed. From a respectful distance, they attempt to copy his every move. It’s both beautiful and hilarious!
jmgoyder 
Peacocks are so beautiful 🙂
Yes, I’d only ever seen them in zoos and magazines – can’t believe we have our own now and those peacock teens will soon look like King!
What fun it would be to write a parallel piece about the males of the human species! ML
You are so right; the parallels are VERY interesting in more ways than one!
He’s a beauty! And he does have a nice bum!
Yes, it’s kind of fluffy and he wiggles it in a rather suggestive way sometimes!
Now that is one beautiful bird! 🙂
The most thrilling thing is that when we first got him he was very upset and disorientated and definitely not tame. So I gradually, and painstakingly, used bits of bread to tame him and now he waits outside – oh here he is now!
Now that is one gorgeous bird.
I have a theory………and I have (literally) dozens of photos to prove it…….that birds, do not like having their photos taken. Nearly every time I turn on my camera, put it up to my eye, and aim……..the bird in question turns it’s back on me and shows me it’s rear end………REALLY!
You are so right!
Oh my gosh I LOVE THIS. Are peacocks nice or like geese?
They aren’t aggressive at all and can be hand fed but do not like to be patted. The geese, except Godfrey, when he is in the mood, love to be patted, even picked up (if Godfrey isn’t looking!)