THERE was a special treat for visitors at the Cataract Gorge on Monday..
A family of peacocks – including a newborn chick – basked in the morning sunlight in front of curious onlookers.
Known for their ostentation, the colourful creatures were unfazed by snapping cameras, stopping to drink water from a drain, before slowly wandering back into bushland.
The birds are currently enjoying their breeding season.
A Cataract Gorge employee said initially 12 chicks had hatched earlier this month, but it was rare for all to survive, with just one chick spotted yesterday.
Victorian tourist Greg McKeown is visiting Tasmania from the Mornington Peninsula.
He said he never expected to get so close to a peacock chick.
‘‘They are such beautiful animals,’’ Mr McKeown said.
‘‘I love the colours on the male peacocks. Their breeding cycle is so interesting, particularly how it’s the male’s job to attract the female with his feathers.’’
