Cock of The North

It is always difficult to find that special gift for yourself at Christmas.

Having nearly run one over in the car during a visit to a large local country office park I have recently considered the purchase of a Peacock.

They have always given me the impression of being  spectacular and quite delightful creatures and yet aloof and with a rather snobby and exclusive image. The position as and association with being the national bird of India also conjurs up the great legends, fables and stories from that part of the world and which both fascinated and thrilled when told to me as a child.

The breed is very hardy being able to cope with a great variety of climatic conditions. The bird is as much at home and at ease in the tropical sub continent as in the dry and wind swept plains and prairies of the American mid west.

They are principally bred and kept for their ornamental role in the grounds of stately homes, roaming farmland and, in my recent and near-tragic encounter, in modern commercial environments.

The jewel toned fowl will apparently thrive if their basic needs are met.

According to a guide provided by enthusiasts of the Peacock the fundamental and sustaining requirements are access to fresh water in a trough or dish, two handfuls of grain per adult bird daily, a supplementary diet of cabbage and other vegetables and regular treatment for worms, a common affliction for such a thing of beauty.

In terms of whether my house and grounds would be suitable for the keeping of a Peacock I consulted another guide to keeping them as a pet.

The threat of predators, mainly the fox, makes some form of elevated sleeping platform an absolute necessity. A tree is perfectly acceptable but the only one within my boundary is a eucalyptus thing above urban garages and possibly not that great a refuge. I regularly see urban foxes skulking along the path formed by the progression of flat roofs over the garages and a dozing bird would find that a bit worrying.

A house roof is often used by a Peacock but my abode is a three storey affair which would be hard to easily access.

I have read that the creatures like to explore but must not be allowed to stray in an uncontrolled manner because of their propensity to cause damage. There have been regular incidents of flowerbeds being dug up in neighbours gardens and perching on cars is popular as is attacking their own reflection in the high sheen of car bodywork.

There is a process to familiarise a Peacock with its immediate environment in keeping it in a pen or cage until it is educated as to its new territory. They are not good companions if looking for a docile and faithful animal friend but enjoy socialising with humans through regular contact and handling with some very tame examples taking food and allowing petting in close quarter.

Each Peacock maintains its own domain or lek in which he is absolute ruler. In this exclusive surroundings the Peacock seeks to attract the female pea hens through the ostentatious full tail display. The rituals are not however silent and many neighbours have been upset by the loud shrill cry which can result in the taking of action by a Local Authority Environmental Department if persistently annoying and intrusive.

Some individuals have allowed a Peacock into their actual homes but this has been a sober lesson in that the birds are not capable of being house trained.

Having carried out a bit of research I feel that perhaps the purchase would not be the thing for me and where I call home after all.

An ideal scenario would be about an acre of land but my urban estate only consists of a pebbled forecourt and a parking courtyard.

The disadvantages far outweigh the aesthetic value of the bird although at £80 for a pair of Indian Blues I may for the same outlay  just buy a Kindle for Christmas and re-read the fantastic stories about them instead.