Couple desperate to find owner of white peacock

Roger and Bernie Deamer with some of the bird's feathers which it has lost since being in the couple's garden

A married couple said they were desperate to find the owner of a white peacock which has taken up residence in their garden.

Roger, 83, and Bernie Deamer, 81, from Cockernhoe, Hertfordshire, said when it arrived last month, they went online to try and find its owner but got no answers.

They both said it was a beautiful and friendly bird, which they named "Snowy" as it is completely white.

They said police told them that it was possible it had been stolen and then dumped.

Roger and Bernie Deamer said the bird was "stunning"

Mrs Deamer said when Snowy "landed" at their home near Luton, it jumped next door, but when they started putting out food for the pheasant, it came back.

"He was very, very loud when he first arrived – it was like a strong screech," she said.

"He just eats the clover and the pheasants' food, and he has never gone for a flower."

The couple phoned nearby Hatfield House and Luton Hoo to ask if they owned the bird. They also contacted the RSPCA, but Ms Deamer said it was "not interested as it is not hurt".

The RSPB said: "Whilst they can be seen in the wild in India, a lot of white peacocks are bred to be white to be used at events/weddings etc for their colouration."

Ms Deamer said the bird is not ringed and they "cannot give it away as it is not our bird".

She wanted someone to come and get it, but at the same time, admitted she would miss it if someone did claim it.

Snowy was well behaved and did not eat any of their flowers, the couple said

Mr Deamer said the bird must belong to someone and added: "It could be microchipped, but you need to get close to him to check.

"He wanders about, and then he disappears. It is a stunning bird"

Mrs Deamer said: "The fascinating thing is, at night, it goes about 60 feet up a tree and then comes down the next morning and straight into the garden."

She is worried the peacock "won't survive in the winter as it is too open and we have foxes and it will be horrific".