Peacocks?

[RolliePollie]

Does anyone know anything about peacocks? We have this big guy (blurry picture below) hanging around on our street and I'm worried about him. He picked a good street to live on...it's a tiny one lane road in the forest with about 12 houses...so it's probably pretty safe for him. But there are big tail feathers scattered around the neighborhood...is it normal for peacocks to lose their big fancy feathers? And he was limping when I saw him tonight. Should I put some grain or something out for him? I don't even know what peacocks eat. I'm going to put a pan of water out tomorrow in case he needs a drink.

I called Animal Control but they don't have any reports of missing peacocks and they won't come out to get him unless we can catch him. He's not friendly and he runs away if you get near him, so that's not likely to happen. Luckily he's not making that horrible peacock noise so everyone in the neighborhood still likes him at this point.

If there are any peacock experts out there, I'd love to hear your opinions or advice. I have a feeling the poor guy is suffering and I want to do something to help him out!

[alpinerabbit]

I'd adopt him in a sec, they are beautiful.

maybe he's molting, it's about the time of year?

they have a harsh cry though and that might upset neighbors. best to ask around if they'd mind.

[bmccasland]

Chum him in with Chicken Feed? Go to your local feed store and get some chicken feed. Peacocks are fowl, so chicken feed would be the right choice.

Would love to pick up stray peacock feathers!

[Tuckervill]

They do lose their feathers a lot. That's no big deal. The safari park near here keeps them in a bucket so you can take one when you leave.

In Little Rock, near the zoo, the peacocks would get out and be running around in the busy street outside the zoo. Don't know why they liked it out there better than in the zoo. The zoo seemed unconcerned the one time I asked about it.

They scream when there is another peacock nearby, in my experience. (mating or territory, maybe) I've watched a lot of peacocks while waiting for my kids to play on the playground at zoos all over the country. I don't think I'd want to try and catch one.

I'd just do what you're doing with the water. I'll bet they eat bugs so if you have bugs, you're fine! :) It will probably move on, is my guess.

Karen

[tulip]

Beautiful bird! They are closely related to chickens, so you could get some chicken feed at the local farm store if you would like to feed it. They roost in trees. If he's limping, it might be difficult for him to roost.

Those things don't just roam wild on this continent normally, so someone lost their peacock. Is there a ranch or stable or estate around that he might have come from? I bet there's a peacock rescue organization out there (google!) that could give you information on what to do and might even be able to help.

[Tuckervill]

I just read online (because I was curious and I googled) that there is a small feral population of peacocks in southern California! Interesting, huh?

But I agree, wouldn't they want to be near their flock, or their mate? I don't know if they mate for life or what, but I've never seen one by itself, ever.

Karen

[SadieKate]

Feral peacocks all over California, even Central Oregon.

Perhaps Snap knows something?

Photo courtesy of bikerz

[RolliePollie]

Well, he was back in my yard this morning when I got up, so I fed him some frozen peas and Trader Joe's soy & flax seed tortilla chips. He seemed very happy with both. He also enjoyed the water I put out for him. And he left me some more feathers. The feathers are extremely cool. The poop he's leaving everywhere is not so cool. I think if he stays in our neighborhood, he'll be pretty safe. I just hope he continues to be quiet!!!

[maillotpois]

They are moulting this time of year. My daughter brought home a bunch of feathers from the SF Zoo where she is working.

[dachshund]

Maybe post a couple of signs that say "No Peacock Poop".
Clearly he's read the literature about flax seed...

And if he suddenly raises all those feathers and looks warmly in your direction, run!

[sundial]

In Little Rock, near the zoo, the peacocks would get out and be running around in the busy street outside the zoo. Don't know why they liked it out there better than in the zoo. The zoo seemed unconcerned the one time I asked about it. Karen

My husband was coming home late one night and passed through that area. A peacock flew over the car and he liked to have had a heart attack!

[spokewench]

When I lived in Berkeley, there were some neighborhood peacocks and yes, occasionally, they made some big noise. I don't know who fed them, but they were there for years.

spoke

[SlowButSteady]

Beautiful birds, big noise.

They'll get on your roof and scream and poop.

We had one around here running with a flock of wild turkeys.

[RolliePollie]

Well, I guess he's famous now. One of the neighbors has posted this:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/laf/775594926.html

It would be really nice if someone would claim him. I just saw my next door neighbor and she's been feeding him wild bird seed which has evidently caused him to adopt her deck railing as his roost. She loves it but she did mention the poop. I'm glad he's being fed but his limp seems to be worse. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening. In the meantime, he's neat to watch and I'm collecting lots of feathers.