As God is my witness, I did not know peacocks could fly . .

Lambchop · Post by **Lambchop** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:59 am

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/07/09/Tampa ... s_or.shtml

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:19 am

Sure they can fly. How you think they get up top of the creche where Christ was born?

Adoration of the Child with Saints and Donors, Biagio d'Antonio da Firenze, 1476, Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:33 am

Walden, just how big is this hat you pull things out of?

Random notes · Post by **Random notes** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:18 am

emmline wrote:Walden, just how big is this hat you pull things out of?

Hat?

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:57 am

Random notes wrote:
emmline wrote:Walden, just how big is this hat you pull things out of?
Hat?

In this case, I just recalled seeing the painting
in the art museum, and made the connection.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:39 am

Well, I did know that peacocks could fly.

But this is what got me:

Startled by a peck to her palm, Elnita Thacker fell flat on her back, according to her lawsuit.

I think if you get so startled by things that you fall over you had best stay at home.

missy · Post by **missy** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:15 pm

There is a large tree outside of the restaurant at the Cincinnati Zoo. It is a well known fact that you do NOT go under that tree anytime after dusk unless you want peacock poop on you - they all roost in that tree.
And they ARE Nasty (think colorful Canadian geese). The males especially have an attitude, and will display and come after you for unknown reasons. I have no idea if they have actually bitten someone, but all that rustling of feathers can be a bit startling.

However, to say that the birds can cause someone that much "harm" is a little silly.

perrins57 · Post by **perrins57** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:30 pm

In America you want one million for a peck! I was just reversed into by a car, as I was shaken but not seriously hurt so I just continued walking and got on with my day. The thought of a lawsuit never entered my head. The driver was shaken as well, I'm sure they will be more careful in future. We all make mistakes; thankfully we are not sued every time!
Why don’t US judges lock people up for wasting court time with stupid lawsuits? Only an idiot approaches wild animals (however cute they look) without expert knowledge and then is shocked when they behave unpredictably. If she didn't know they could fly, how did she know if they were safe? If she didn’t know if they were safe, why was she sticking her hand near them?

THere are wild geese and swans in the park near me - I've never been anywhere near them - its called common sense.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:39 pm

The Chinese bred peafowl to guard the palaces.

The females are peahens. You do not mess with a peahen that has chicks!

Roosting where the night predators can not easily take you as dinner is a good trait.

If they are nasty it is most likely environmental.

Denny

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:53 pm

perrins57 wrote: Only an idiot approaches wild animals (however cute they look) without expert knowledge and then is shocked when they behave unpredictably.

When we were at Rocky Mtn Natl park in Colorado a bunch of people were standing on the side of the road watching a majestic herd of elk. Some bozo decided to try to get close to "feed" them. The Park rangers almost threw them out of the park. What a riot.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:41 pm

It is hard to overestimate the stupidity of man!

Most animals are reasonably safe...if you stay out of their personal space.

Cynth · Post by **Cynth** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:22 pm

I was chased and nipped by some geese who were very eager, apparently, for the food I was giving them. I dropped the bread bag and ran---- to the great hilarity of the small brave child I was with. I really don't approach large birds anymore and if one approaches me I keep walking in the other direction until it is happy. They are animals and they need to protect themselves. Geese do a darn good job, I must say.

dubhlinn · Post by **dubhlinn** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:27 pm

Cynth wrote: I really don't approach large birds anymore

I know the feeling...

Had a few bad experiences with large Birds..

Stronger than poor little me

Slan,
D.

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:49 pm

When we lived in South Bend, we would visit the South Bend zoo.

I befriended the emus after noticing there were no dandelions on their side of the fence, but plenty of dandelions on my side of the fence.

If you offered a dandilion leaf through the chain link fence, they would come over and eagerly take the greens. It was fun being eye to eye with such a big bird who was very interested in you, but it would have been scary without the protection of the fence. If you offered them anything else but dandelion greens, they would ignore you.

I have since encountered emus at another zoo, but they didn't show any interest in dandelion greens I offered them. I would guess that either there were enough dandelions inside their enclosure to satisfy them or there was something else in their feed that served the same purpose nutritionally.

Best wishes,
Jerry

izzarina · Post by **izzarina** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:06 pm

perrins57 wrote:Why don’t US judges lock people up for wasting court time with stupid lawsuits?

Because too much money is tied up with the stupid lawsuits....they don't have the money to lock them up anymore