Everyone loves to see a male peacock in full display. Many people have tired in vain to get one to open its magnificent tail feathers. What we discovered when observing the resident peacocks at the Grounds for Sculpture, in Hamilton, New Jersey, was that they display only during mating season, in the spring. And then usually only if a female is in sight.
The first two images below are of the Alpha male displaying in 'his' place at the front entrance of the Domestic Arts Building. The female finally approached him, shown in the second image, but all she was interested in was pecking on the pavement at any little speck she saw. In spite of the wondrous display from the male, she walked on, ignoring him. Gee, what's a guy gotta do, anyway?
In the second image you can see the pad of ruffly feathers that seems to support the weight of the long feathers. Otherwise, without this pad, the males probably would damage the tips of the beautiful feathers by dragging them in the sand and mud.
I found the Beta male resting in the shade in 'his' spot next to the Museum Building. The females weren't paying any attention to him, either. The philosophy must be that since it's hard work erecting that enormous tail every time a female walks by, when they are not present, then rest is the better part of valor. The fourth image shows the Beta male raising his head as he became aware that I wanted to take his picture. This time I was inside the building, trying to focus through the thick double-paned window.
Why do I use the terms "alpha" and "beta" males? Well, I've noticed that whenever any other male comes near the Domestic Arts Building, that male always chases them away, including the one I'm calling the "beta" male. And so the moniker "alpha" male for the "top bird." The beta male chases all other males away from "his" Museum Building, except for the alpha male. I haven't tried to figure out the rest of the pecking order of the other males, but I guess they each seem to have staked out a special territory for themselves.
