Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/121369
Sarasota News Leader April 12, 2013 tail feathers grown over his brown, foot-long, real tail feathers, which provide support for his train when he displays it and elevate it a bit above the ground when he struts about. He sports his train for only about five months of the year. After the mating and brooding season, he sheds these 150-200 magnificent feathers, which are eagerly collected by people and used for decorative purposes. Beginning in late fall, he starts to molt. This brings me to his mate, the peahen. The peahen is consistently described as "drab with dull brown and gray feathers." Not true! And I will explain why by asking you to take a look at a photo of a peahen and peacock taken at the end of September, just as they are molting and slowly dressing themselves into their finery in time for the spring mating game. What is cool about the photo is seeing them in this state of dishabille, with crown A peacock growing new feathers. File photo A peahen and cock. File photo Page 83