Sex change strips bird’s hormonal gears

“THANK YOU” is the opener for this week’s column. Although an accepted expression of gratitude, the two one syllable words could never adequately convey our deep feelings and appreciation to those in and around this community who worked so diligently (and secretly!) on a super surprise for us and the wildlife shelter occupants.

Learning that our supporting foundation will be cutting our funds in 1991, two young women became quite concerned and vowed they were going to do something to help cover expenses at the shelter. We gave little thought to it, even after hearing a rumor that some youngsters were haveing a bake sale “to feed Jerry’s animals.”

We remained totally unaware of the activities taking place only two miles down the road — the bake sale, yard sale, raffle and hot dogs beings sold as fast as — hot dogs! Merchants, townspeople and out-of-townspeople contributed to a $600 donation for the shelter.

Our supporting foundation will continue to provide enough to cover the feed bills, but until their funds build up, there will be no monies for such extras as repairs and veterinary supplies or services. So, the generous donation couldn’t have come at a better time: the shelter’s corroded wiring will be replaced; the interior will get a fresh coat of paint and minor repairs; adjustments will be made on the chain link pen, etc. Thanks, we are extremely grateful.

When is a peahen no longer a peahen? Elementary, my dear Watson — when she becomes a peacock!

Last year, an abundance of black feathers began emerging on the back of Pokey, our aged white peahen. We failed to become excited about it since white hens usually have a sprinkling of black feathers. It wasn’t until peacock blue feathers began swallowing up the white on her breast and bronze herl (vanes) started showing in the tail feathers that I contacted the bird and poultry expert from whom we got our first peachick. When I asked the cause of the color change, he matter-of-factly replied, “Well, she’s probably changing into a peacock.”

After a hearty laugh, I joshed him about putting me on, but he was dead serious. He explained that the transformation was due to a hormonal change and that he’d seen it occur among hens and roosters.

While not doubting the fellow’s word, I wanted to learn more about the strange change-of-gender, so I contacted another poultry person at the University of Maine. He advised the change could be caused by medication, tumors — or the hormonal thing. He was surprisingly interested and asked that I keep in touch, while predicting that, within three months, Pokey would change back to a peahen!

Soon peacock eye feathers began appearing in Pokey’s plumage. They were not as large or vividly colored as those on the normal male birds and the herl wasn’t as lush. Then, suddenly everything went on hold. The eye feathers stopped growing and Pokey began showing the rigors of quick change. She may have stripped her hormonal gears during the abrupt shifting and blew a fuse in her egg basket. Whatever the cause, she just put her wings over her face one day and expired. Was it from embarrassment or frustration? We’ll never know!

Jerry Elwell is a free-lance nature writer who lives in Sherman Station.