American Gam

“In a world full of pigeons, dare to be a peacock!” ~ Anonymous

We did a two-week stint at a KOA in Ventura. It was situated in a valley nestled between two mountain ranges. On the weekends the placed filled up with California campers, but on the week days we found ourselves mostly alone. It was very peaceful. ☀️

The only consistent neighbors that we did have were occasionally noisy. I’m referring to the abundance of peacocks that live in the valley. They were everywhere! Dozens of them! They walked around the campsites, they roosted on fences, and slept in the trees that were just over our heads. (Luckily, they don’t leave hardly any droppings.) But they do squawk! Very loudly! And often their voices would coalesce into a chorus! Go to the zoo sometime and listen to them! It’s creepy and funny at the same time! 🦚

We noticed that the males, when confronted with their reflection in the shiny bumper of a pickup truck perceived it to be an enemy and would attack it by pecking at it with its formidable beak or by drop kicking it with its long, razor-like talons! This happened, usually on the weekends, when the park was full of campers. 🦚

Despite their imposing size, peacocks are capable of flight. However, they rarely fly. They often resort to running through the undergrowth when disturbed or threatened. When they do take off they use a slower flapping motion to keep flight rather than gliding. I learned this when one bird came off his roost and headed right for me! 🦚

Kodi was smart enough to just watch these formidable birds from a distance. However, he did surprise one of them that was roosting on a cabin’s railing. Luckily, I yelled in time to break up the impending fight. Then the peacock took flight, swooping down directly at me! I had my camera ready and held my ground as this pterodactyl charged toward me and then raced by my side! 🦚

Luckily, we found peacocks are not nocturnal, often climbing up to sleep in the trees overhead, with their squawking diminishing as the sun receded. But…sure enough, just like roosters, they started crowing again at the first light of day. 🦚

So I did some reading to try to understand our neighbors. I found that the Indian Peafowl, usually native to the Indian subcontinent, is notable for its remarkable longevity in captivity, with a lifespan of up to twenty-three years. However, in the wild, its average lifespan is estimated to be about fifteen years. 🦚

The males are commonly referred to as peacocks, while the females are called peahens, although both sexes are often colloquially referred to as simply “peacocks.” 🦚

The male peacocks are the pretty ones. They are renowned for their distinctive long train. This train is comprised of elongated tail feathers adorned with vibrant eyespots. As you may have seen, especially if you watch anything on NBC, these stiff feathers are raised into a fan-like structure and quiver during courtship displays. 🦚

In contrast, peahens are predominantly brown in color. They have a white face and iridescent green neck. Yet, they lack the elaborate train of the male peacocks. 🦚

They primarily inhabit open forests or cultivated lands. In these areas, they forage for berries and grains. They also prey on small snakes, lizards, and small rodents. Their distinctive noisy call serves as a means of detection. It often serves to warn others. This includes detecting the presence of predators in forested areas like the one we were residing. Their shrill call is also used for waking campers up at five o’clock in the morning! 🦚

Peacocks typically forage in small groups called “musters”, which usually consist of a single peacock and three to five peahens. After the breeding season, usually in May, these flocks tend to consist solely of females and young. Mating season is ending now. It’s too soon for us to have seen any baby chicks running around. 🦚

During courtship displays, peacocks use their ornate feather train to captivate their mates. They raise their tail feathers into an arched fan and quiver them, showcasing their beauty and grace. The peacock’s wings are held half-open and drooped, causing the long feathers to vibrate periodically and produce a ruffling sound. Initially, the male faces the peahen and may turn around to show off its tail. As part of courtship feeding, the peacock stays still over his food. This allows the female to eat the edible offering. Male peacocks may display their fan, even when peahens are absent. This it is usually done close to the females. However, when a peacock displays and shakes a tail feather, peahens appear uninterested. They usually continue their foraging. It’s kinda’ like early evening in a dance club. It is believed that the number of eyespots in the train of feathers might predict a male’s mating success. 🦚

They may be noisy, but they sure are beautiful; and entertaining! 🦚

I hope you shine like a peacock 🦚 and fly like an eagle. 🦅

The gam continues…