Italian White Peacocks

Image 1: White Peacocks in Park Pallavicino Garden in Italy

Ciao! 

In Italy, the peacocks are white!  Or at least many of the peacocks I saw in Italy were white, which strikes me as odd - I don't think I have ever seen white peacocks in the USA; AND I don't think white peacocks are exactly common in Italy. 

Image 2: White Peacock in Park Pallavicino in Italy

But some of the gardens in the Lake Maggiore region of Italy have white peacocks lounging around and looking lovely.  My daughter and I saw white peacocks at Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Park Pallavicino.

Image 3: White Peacock (male) strutting his stuff!

Finding the white peacocks was easy - finding a male showing off his feathers seemed impossible.  

Image 4: Backlit White Peacock - the feathers are so lovely!

At Isola Bella we ate outdoors within feet of several white peacocks, some of whom were grooming and teasing us by fluffing their feathers for more than 20 minutes.  The birds moved in and out of the shade of nearby plants, creating wonderful lighting effects.  The birds, and the texture of the feathers was mesmerizing.   

Image 5: A White Peacock's portrait

Other peacocks were parked around the gardens, and many visitors watched whenever the peacocks moved, hoping for a show, but the peacocks didn't cooperate while we wandered the garden.

Image 6: White Peacock at Isola Bella Garden in Italy

At Isola Madre we saw more white peacocks, but never with their tails open.  At other gardens we only saw peacocks in gift shop images. We left having seen beautiful gardens, flowers and palaces, but not white peacocks showing off their tails.  We said it wasn't meant to be and left for other adventures. 

Image 7: White Peacocks wandering in Gardens in Italy

But then - while leaving the Lake Maggiore region, we had a small 45 minute time-window, so we made an unplanned stop at the Pallavicino Garden, which  featured a zoo and farm.  There our peacock luck changed! 

Image 8: White Peacocks in Park Pallavicino in Italy

Not one, but two white peacocks vied for attention from some unseen nearby female.  Seeing male white peacocks with their tail feathers open is a breath-taking sight - the tails remind me of fireworks exploding.  They shake and move in a way that is hard to describe.   

Image 9: White Peacock in Park Pallavicino in Italy

We stayed long past our 45 minute time window.  But when you travel thousands of miles to see sights you probably will never see again, sometimes you become late for (or even miss) the next site while enjoying an unforgettable sight right in front of you.  As an old saying goes, "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush"...  I'm glad I was able to be flexible when traveling this time.

Image 10: Isn't this feather pattern incredible?

The patterns and textures of the peacock's tail feathers look stunning!

At the Pallavicino Park we also saw a traditional male peacock showing off it's tail. 

Image 11: Male Peacock in Park Pallavicino Garden in Italy

A female peahen darted out of nowhere, and wow, did both of the birds move! What happened next has been redacted to keep this post family friendly.

Image 12: Fast moving female Peahen and Peacock

Comparing the different "peafowls" added to the visual fun.  This peacock and peahen were the only traditional peacocks I saw in Italy. 

Image 13: Traditional Peacock Feather Details

Notes: In researching this post, I found out white peacocks (also know as leucistic peafowl) have a genetic mutation known as leucism, which inhibits melanin from being deposited in their feathers.  Source here.

Image 14: My favorite Non-Traditional Peacock photo - Click to Enlarge

Have you ever seen a white peacock?  If so, where, what country/park/zoo?  Let me know, I'm curious as to where these beautiful birds can be seen.

As always, Click on the images to see them enlarged.
There is so much more detail to see in my photos!

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