He’s Strutting His Stuff, Hoping You’ll Notice.

Photo #327: Quizzical PeacockLocation Taken: National Zoo, Washington DC
Time Taken: March 2010

In the National Zoo in Washington DC, there is a Bird Enclosure where the birds roam free. It’s all the more sedate birds, such as ducks and pheasants and the like.

And a few peacocks, who love showing off their fantastic tails to the tourists. This particular guy was hanging out by the area with benches, strutting around and displaying his grandeur. I even got a short video of him ruffling his tail.

Did you know that “Peacock” only applies to the male of the species? The female is called a Peahen. They have much less extravagant plumage, including lacking the famous tail. And there were a few peahens scattered around the enclosure. Perhaps this fine fellow was showing off for the ladies. Or in a vain hope that the tourists had something to feed him with, you never know.

Probably the latter, given how he strutted and ruffled and just generally showed off, and then stuck his tail towards us and looked at us quizzically.

That’s a great word, isn’t it? “Quizzically.” Describes this expression perfectly.

  

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