King peacock’s personality has changed due to the loss of all but one of his tail feathers. He seems to have somehow retained this one last symbol of superiority, not arrogantly, but desperately.
Son and I have collected most of his feathers (to sell on ebay and make our fortune), but there are still several here, there and everywhere. It’s like finding treasure.
So now that King can’t do his fantail thing, he has become much shyer and quite needy of attention. He hangs around the back door, waiting for me to come out with bread and lettuce and he seems a bit shocked and disappointed by his reflection in the veranda windows. I read somewhere that when peacocks shed their feathers they feel emasculated and I can see this in King’s eyes because now he doesn’t look very different from the younger peacocks, who are no longer in awe of him.
Lately, rather than strutting around Kingishly, and keeping his distance from the teenagers, King seems to need their company. His wife, Queenie, has lost interest in him and this must be very hurtful. He has even stopped making his trumpet noise, and is very quiet and subdued.
The most surprising thing is that he has abandoned the old dairy where he used to spend most of his time. If you look closely at this photo, you can see him there in the centre.
Of course, within a few months, King will have grown new tail feathers, whereas the teenage peacocks won’t get theirs for another couple of years – so he is still ahead. But I don’t think King particularly cared about his superiority and, even when he had all of his tail feathers, he never seemed arrogant about this – just happy.
When he takes the bread out of my hand now, I reassure him that he just has to wait awhile but he looks at me forlornly and I can see how much he misses doing his fantail dance.
jmgoyder 
What an impressive dance! My Dad, sister and I buy peacock feathers every summer (3 USD per feather) It’s lovely to see the feather intact.
It’s a pity you don’t live closer – I could give you some feathers!
My mother had a thing for anything to do with peacocks. I used to have fun finding her interesting items like figurines, paintings, and even a shiny rock with peacock colors. Now when I see anything “peacock” or in this case your King, I immediately think of her. Mom would have loved your king even without his tail feathers. 😉 ~ Lynda
That’s lovely. It sounds like your mother was a very interesting person and I bet you miss her.
That’s reassuring to know that he will get new feathers … perhaps he will be more understanding and empathetic to others when they go through their tail-less times! 🙂
hehe!
He sure is a beauty, a true monarch.
He sure is!
Dressing up always makes you feel better 🙂
Oh, this is so sweet, Julie – the image of the reassuring little chat being handed out along with his food – I think there is potential for a lovely children’s story/fable in this snippet of life in your back yard 😀
What a great idea! Thanks.