This photo is an entry in a daily photo contest by @photochallenge. The theme Plants and Animals photos.
This is Chook Chook, he is a Lady Amherst's Pheasant. He turned up at our house one day as a juvenile. At first we thought he was a baby peacock as we have those in the area too but as he grew we soon realised he was something different. They're not native to Australia and he is believed to be an escapee, more than likely from an Asian family as they like to eat them. They're native to China and Burma.
Chook Chook (not named by us) was our fly in, fly out pet. He would visit at least twice a day to feed but some days he would stay all day. For those who are familiar with Chook Chook's story may be wondering why I said "was" our fly in, fly out pet. He is no longer with us. He went missing towards the end of least year, the ABC News even did a report on him and were keen to assist us in finding him a female if he returned. Sadly he did not.
His behavior changed in his last couple of weeks with us and I believe he was keen to find himself a lady friend. Others in our community saw him two days after he never returned but no other sighting was seen again. It is thought that he was more than likely taken by a snake. A very sad ending for our little feathered friend. My daughter who grew a lovely bond with him was devastated when he never returned.
Many a times we thought about buying him an enclosure and buying him a female bird. It always seemed wrong though, he escaped from somewhere and was living as a wild bird, to take that freedom away from him just didn't feel right. However, maybe he would be still with us today if we had. He was a stunning bird, that's for sure! He had a quirky little personality and would often have us in fits of l laughter. He is indeed very much missed.
