White Feathers On The Roadway
The car tires come to a stop on the cracked asphalt. A white peacock lies in the center of the lane. Her tail feathers spread across the ground. Three small white chicks stand near her head. They do not move toward the grass as the vehicle idling nearby.
A man walks toward the birds. He wears a black shirt and blue jeans. He stops a few feet away from the family. The mother bird does not fly. She keeps her chest against the asphalt. The man kneels. He places his hands on the road for balance. He looks at the bird’s back. A dark patch shows through the white feathers. Insects move inside a wound near her neck.
The man reaches into a small kit. He takes out a bottle of white cream. He pours the liquid onto the moving insects. He does not touch the wound directly. The chicks watch his hands. One chick walks near his knee. The man picks up an orange spray bottle. He points it at the bird. He sprays the wound three times. The mist settles on the feathers. The insects begin to fall away onto the road.
Treating The Mother Bird
The man pulls out a blue patch. It is square and flat. He peels the paper from the back. He places the blue square over the cleaned wound. He presses his fingers along the edges. He holds the patch down for several seconds. The bird remains still. She does not struggle or peck at him. He checks the surrounding feathers for more insects. He finds none. He wipes his hands on a cloth.
He stands up partially to look at the road. No other cars are coming. He kneels back down. He reaches for a clear plastic bowl. He fills it with water from a large container. He slides the bowl across the ground. It stops inches from the bird’s beak. The chicks move closer to the water. The mother bird tilts her head. She looks at the bowl. She does not move for a moment.
The man stays on one knee. He watches the bird. The peacock lowers her beak. She touches the water. She lifts her head and swallows. She does this again. Her neck moves as the water goes down. She takes five long drinks. The chicks watch her. One chick pecks at the edge of the bowl. The man keeps his hand near the container to stop it from tipping over.
Final Moments At The Roadside
The peacock stops drinking. She looks at the man. She moves her wings slightly. They are white and heavy. She shifts her feet on the asphalt. The man looks at the blue patch on her back. It is secure. He looks at the chicks. They are all close to their mother. The sun is high in the sky. It reflects off the white plumage of the birds. The man does not stand up yet. He watches the bird’s breathing. It is slow and regular.
He moves the water bowl slightly. The mother bird drinks again. She splashes a small amount of water on her chest. The man watches the droplets run off her feathers. He checks the road behind his SUV. It is empty. He looks back at the family. The chicks are now huddling against the mother’s side. The mother bird rests her head near the water bowl. She seems to be resting on the warm asphalt.
The man reaches out and touches the bird’s tail. The feathers are long and soft. He checks for any other injuries. He sees none. He stands up slowly. He leaves the water bowl on the road. He walks back to his vehicle. He looks over his shoulder one last time. The peacock dips her head back into the water for one final drink, the liquid splashing onto the dry road.
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