A peacock that chickened out and went AWOL while his missus was expecting chicks has returned home after two weeks on the run.
Cheeky peacock, Major, fled from his home leaving mate Priscilla, who was sat on the couple’s eggs for four weeks pining for her partner.
The mischievous bird missed the birth of his five fluffy chicks who were born while he was at large.
It’s the second time Major has escaped from his pen at Abertay Guest House, near Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
He wandered off around the same time last year.
His disappearance left owner Catherine Victor in a flap.
She said: “I just kept thinking how dare he go off and leave her. He keeps thinking he can just go off on a wee holiday.”
Catherine, a peacock lover, had planned to use a wheelie bin to catch Major, by leaving food at the bottom of one and luring him inside.
But having previously used the bin to catch him, Major immediately recognised it and cleverly avoided getting in, knowing it would result in his capture.
After failing to get in him the bin the Catherine, 71, ended up having to carefully catch Major in a blanket in the end.
Now home, and reunited with his family, Catherine said Major wasn’t best pleased at first but is settling in well now.
And since flying the nest Major has found fame around the town.
During his adventure, Major paid Broughty Ferry resident Sheila Mortlock a visit after journeying more than a mile from home.
She said: “I had visitors round and a movement in the garden caught my eye.
“I thought it was the cat, but much to my surprise it was a peacock.
“We all did a double take. He was just walking about the garden like he owned the place.
“He hopped up on to my wall and then jumped over onto the neighbours shed.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting to see in the garden.”
Talking about the day of the great escape, Catherine said she forgot to latch the snib on the door of Major’s pen.
She said: “I was rushed off my feet that morning and I just ran outside and then forgot to snib the door.
“Later I noticed I hadn’t locked the door and then did it, but he was already out.”
Catherine and husband Karl, 68, who have had their guest house since 2008, home a variety of animals – chickens, quails, parrots, rabbits and a tortoise.
