#wild peacocks

[mmw8054]

Photo Credit: Matthew Williams (via @mmw8054 )

[kedreeva]

I think that... if you've never seen a green peafowl (Pavo muticus) before, or at least never seen one next to a human being before... the size of them is unclear. Most of the greens in the US are American greens, which is to say that they've had their blood diluted with Pavo cristatus blood somewhere along the line. They're smaller, and they sound a little different. There are a couple of farms (and I do mean a COUPLE, I think there are like 2, maybe 3 now) that have imported and breed actual greens, but those birds are generally for conservation, with excess males offloaded either for American green improvement fodder, or for high-spalding hybrid junk. Usually the latter.

These are some pure Pavo muticus imperator birds (a subspecies of the muticus species), from a video posted to one of my peafowl groups, beside yearling Pavo cristatus birds.

Now, yearlings are a LITTLE smaller than full adults, but not by much. Here's a pic of the bigger of the two yearlings, the one that I'd guess (given where his shoulders stand compared to the human) is male and about full grown (minus the train), standing near a pair of imperator hens:

And standing beside the big kahuna of this pen, the male. He doesn't even have to stretch to reach this human's waist.

For reference, my cristatus birds, most of whom are not short for domestic blues, have to jump if they want to reach my hand in a similar position, and I'm only 5'3".

(source)

[detroitlib]

From our stacks: Illustration “’Indian Landscape. (Wild Peacocks.)’ Drawn by J. Wolf. Engraved by H. Harral.” from Two Centuries of Song; or, Lyrics, Madrigals, Sonnets, and Other Occasional Verses of the English Poets of the Last Two Hundred Years. With Critical and Biographical Notes by Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by Original Pictures of Eminent Artists, Drawn and Engraved Especially for this Work. With Coloured Borders, Designed by Henry Shaw, F.S.A., etc. etc. London: Sampson, Low, Son, and Marston, 1867.

[hiddenspotsofsandiego]

LEO CARILLO RANCH (Carlsbad)

More photo, info & directions: http://www.hiddensandiego.net/leo-carrillo-ranch.php

"Leo Carrillo Ranch is a designated Historic National Landmark that was opened to the public in August 2003. It is connected to the citywide trails system via the 4-mile long Rancho Carrillo trail.

Discover the history and tranquil beauty of this former working ranchero, once owned by actor Leo Carrillo. Secluded in the heart of a magnificently landscaped 27-acre canyon, this historic park contains and protects romantic hand-crafted adobe buildings, antique windmills, a reflecting pool and many other beautiful historic structures where visitors can explore and experience California history. Nature-lovers delight in gorgeous agave, bougainvillea, Birds of Paradise, plentiful trees and the company of dozens of brilliant peacocks who call the ranch home. Learn about the unique entry gate created specifically for the park through the city's public art program."

[quickwitter]

SATURDAY MORNING VISITORS

As Kevin and I were getting ready to go out on Saturday morning, we were surprised to see these two India Blue Peacocks nonchalantly climbing the front steps. They walked up to the front door, turned left and headed over to visit the chickens who were nearly as startled as we were. Kev snapped this crappy photo with his ancient digital camera.

The better lit of the two is recovering from an attack, likely by a dog or coyote...it's train is missing and some of its head feathers. Still, gorgeous. And survivors. They spent a week here last summer roosting in one of our oaks.

I'm hoping they hang around here, they do class up the joint.