Some mornings it sounds like the clicking of highheels back and forth across the roof. Other times it sounds like running races. This morning it was like a herd of buffalo. I do not need an alarm clock!
I am getting more attuned to the sounds of our many peafowl; their rooftop antics, their honking, their gentle clucking when I feed them bits of bread.
One of the sounds that took me awhile to figure out was the feather-rustling sound when a peacock displays his (and sometimes her) feathers into the beautiful fan they are famous for. Okay, this might sound odd, but it sounds exactly like the kettle boiling over on the Aga – that sizzling sound. Other times, it sounds like the whoosh of light aircraft – a wind sound.
All of our peacocks (most of them are teenagers) are displaying their ‘fans’ almost constantly now. I think they are practising for spring as it is winter here now. They obviously have very good muscle control because, once they’ve achieved the ‘fan’, they then turn circles, very gradually, and with incredible poise and balance. As they turn around and around, they continually rustle their fan feathers (that’s the sound that makes me think the kettle is boiling over).
They remind me so much of catwalk models (even when they are scrambling around on the rooftop, fighting to be the best).
I love them so much; they are a lesson in sound, beauty and strangeness.
jmgoyder 
Very beautiful Julie… to find communion with these stunning creatures of nature has got to be a true blessing…. I love the ‘catwalk’ models analogy — I have been trying the catwalk myself to see if I can find more comfort in ambulating that way…. funny you mentioned that – we are tuned in to each other all these miles apart! Sending Love 🙂
That catwalk coincidence is uncanny – go for it Robyn!
Just re-read this Julie… so eloquently written and very interesting to learn…. The kettle boiling over on the Aga ‘sound’ – really?? LOL! 🙂 xo
It’s kind of like a shhhhhh noise.
😉 so interesting!!
Sometimes I get woken up by white-winged chuffs running around on the roof. I never get angry at them and it is a funny alarm clock. I find myself wondering what they are doing, what they are thinking, who’s in charge, what relationships are falling apart…
The morning after my 30th birthday I woke up to scratching on the roof and went outside to find six peacocks on our roof! This was in Bunbury and not Walpole 🙂
How wonderful – where did they go then?
what wonderful descriptions–and for those who have no experience with your lovely birds, it is enlightening to know what the sound like
Yes, these birds are teaching me how to see and how to hear more intensely – interesting!
Your description was so vivid I felt I could hear them just as if I were there. (I even gave myself a bit of a headache from standing on my head for those couple of minutes.) Nicely written and very engaging.
Sorry it made you stand on your head – ha!
It was worth it to see the peacocks/hens.
Such beautiful birds!
When I was growing up in Jackson, MS, on two separate occasions we had a peacock escape the zoo and roost in our backyard. I hated it when the zoo people retrieved them.
Barb
They should have let them stay with you!
That’s what I thought!!
What a wonderful way to start your day. Blue jays scream at me for peanuts.
I remember blue jays from my childhood in Canada – I forgot they scream – ha!
Wow they are amazing animals but I didn’t realise they made so much noise but it was not something I gave a lot of thought to, ok I didn’t give it any thought so maybe that is why I am surprise to learn they make so much noise……..
Very noisy!!!
I have only heard that rustling sound of the peacock feathers shaking once – last summer at the zoo. It is as strange to watch, as it is to listen to. Hope to see some more feather fanning displays next Spring.
I’m not sure why they are doing it so much now when it is winter – odd!
I don’t know how appreciative I would be of being woken up by various fowl each morning, but you make it sound almost delightful!
It is delightful – you get used to it!
Wish I had a lesson in strangeness. I think I could be very good at it if only I had lessons.
If you came here for a day you would earn a degree in strangeness – ha!
thanks for sharing in the above post.http://www.salondalila.com
With peacocks, it’s always about their looks, so it’s amazing to hear of the sounds produced by their displays – would never have imagined such a thing.
Yes, the sounds are really interesting. When they honk they almost sound like the geese!
I have a friend who has about 15 peafowl on his property. I stayed there once after a party instead of driving home. Those were the noisiest birds up on the roof!
Ah so you know what they sound like!
Let’s just say that I have only stayed at Earl’s place once…………lol
I hope it doesn’t put you off coming here one day!
Earl doesn’t have a white one………….
Poor Earl!
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