Brisbane peacock caught by mirror

Hex, a male peacock owned by tattoo artist Elliot Ross, has been lured into a back shed in Brisbane's Alexandra Hills district by a full-length mirror. The bird, which has been loose since last week, showed clear interest in his reflection on Tuesday, November 3. This behavior has given local residents hope that they can finally secure the bird and return him to his owner.

Hex first appeared at the home of Geoff and Delwyn Ballantyne last week. The couple found the fully grown bird staring into their bathroom mirror after returning from an evening coffee. Delwyn Ballantyne initially screamed, thinking an intruder was in the house. Geoff Ballantyne said he accepted her identification of a peacock, though he found the scene difficult to believe. The couple offered the bird water and crackers, but it did not leave the mirror.

Wildlife rescuers arrived at the Ballantyne property and captured the peacock using a towel. They released the bird into nearby bushland. Shortly after the release, Hex began visiting the acreage property of Suzie Tafolo, a neighbor in the same suburb. Tafolo suspected the visitor was Ross's missing bird. Ross confirmed the identification by recognizing the bird's unusual plumage. He has owned Hex for two years.

Tafolo researched methods for catching peacocks online and learned that mirrors often attract the birds. She moved a full-length mirror from her home to the shed where Hex appeared daily. On Tuesday, the bird approached the mirror and looked at his reflection. This action suggests the bird may be ready to be captured again.

Ross noted that Hex had previously visited a neighbor's property but had never wandered as far as the Ballantyne or Tafolo residences. A female peacock remains at Ross's home. Ross speculated that Hex might have left to find another mate. However, Darryl Jones, a Griffith University professor emeritus and urban ecologist, offered a different view. Jones, who studies how birds react to reflections, said Hex might simply be lonely. Most birds see their reflection as a threat, but two male peacocks sometimes spend time together.

Tafolo plans to use the mirror to catch the bird in the coming days. Ross is waiting to receive the peacock back. The bird has not been seen at either property since Tuesday afternoon.