Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek

By Julie Horner

On November 23, 2024 Boulder Creek’s wonderful wild ‘albino’ peacock was predated by a mountain lion. Neighbors reported that Albert was taken by a puma in the area of the Redwood Resort campgrounds at the south end of Boulder Creek. Albert lived free in this quiet residential neighborhood in the Santa Cruz Mountains, choosing secluded backyards to roost, strutting nonchalantly along dappled paths where he browsed an omnivore’s smorgasbord of delicacies among the duff and locals looked after his welfare. A symbol of resilience during the CZU fire in August of 2020 and a favorite ‘personality’ making his way along side streets, he was much beloved as the unofficial mascot of the town for what some say was three decades, maybe more.

Peacocks have naturalized here but are not native to California. Elias J. Baldwin is credited with importing the first peacocks to the state in the 1870s to control rodents on his Southern California ranch; today’s rogue clusters of birds (called “an ostentation of peacocks,” or a muster or a pride) are thought to be descendants. The peacock is the national bird of India and is protected there and in other places of origin, but The Audubon Society notes that California has a feral peacock “problem” in some parts of the state “where they claw up gardens, peck at car fenders, and belt out their songs at all hours.” Not everyone enjoys that mournful cry, which can sound hauntingly human. Most Albert fans took his vocalizations in stride. Boulder Creek residents have observed several peacock enclaves over the years — noted by the distinctive calls — high atop China Grade near Big Basin Redwoods State Park, up by Hawk Ridge, Hopkins Gulch, and Eddy Ranch off Bear Creek Road, and other locations. Albert found his niche “in town” and because of frequent sightings has become Boulder Creek’s most famous representative next to Sasquatch.

Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek by Whitney Bull

Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek with plumes extended by Whitney Bull

Albert the White Peacock of Boulder Creek by Whitney Bull

According to Treehugger.com, albino peacocks are extremely rare. In fact, they are not truly albino; instead they carry a genetic mutation which makes them leucistic, lacking pigment entirely or on parts of their bodies, while retaining dark eyes, unlike true albinism, which causes a lack of melanin in skin, feathers, and eyes. According to the Peacock Fact Sheet from the PBS Nature blog (pbs.org), “In the wild, peafowl live 10 to 25 years. Domesticated peafowl have been known to live as long as 40 to 50 years.” The great horned owl, bobcat, and coyote are among our mountain predators, and many here have noticed an uptick of mountain lion activity this year. Albert was one of a kind to live so long wandering the wild backstreets of Boulder Creek.

Albert was Boulder Creek’s celebrity white peacock. You can look him up on YouTube. The television series Animal Planet came to Boulder Creek to do a story (animalplanet.com). Countless media made him a star after he survived the CZU fire. Local author Jackie Hendricks wrote Albert’s Ashes: A Peacock’s Tail to help children learn about resilience. Artists Jenny Gosk, Jennifer Wildermuth Reyes, Nicky Gaston, Addison Ritchie, Cheyenne Donald, and others created artwork featuring Albert’s image or added a simple peacock’s feather motif to their creations to inspire a fire-scarred community. Everyone loved Albert. People from all over the world came to see Albert and take a picture with his plumes up. He will be missed.

Inspired by Albert

Jennifer Wildermuth Reyes said, “This painting was started in early August 2020 and then we evacuated for 6 weeks for the CZU fires. At that time Albert became a symbol of Boulder Creek’s strength and resilience. When we finally were allowed back home and I returned to working on this piece, I changed the whole background to represent this powerful new symbol of Albert.”

“A teeny teeny little creek in a deep ravine” provided a natural firebreak that saved Jenny Gosk’s home in Boulder Creek. “When we evacuated I took my iPad and drew the peacock—somebody posted him trotting along in the apocalypse and I used that as a basis. I used the time to not think about whether our house was there, or our neighbor’s house…you just didn’t know.”

The Albino Peacock of Boulder Creek

Beneath the redwoods, strong and wise,
A pale white peacock caught our eyes.
Its feathers shimmered, pure as frost,
A fleeting treasure we thought we’d lost.

Through decades long, its grace remained,
A quiet symbol, unrestrained.
Of spirit bold, yet soft and meek,
It claimed the heart of Boulder Creek.

When pressure weighed upon our town,
When storms would rise and dreams fell down,
The peacock walked with steadfast pride,
A ghostly guide we held inside.

When holidays came in ash and flame,
The CZU fire carved its name.
Through smoky skies, its beauty stayed,
A sign of hope that never swayed.

Children ran to catch its trail,
Its mystery like a whispered tale.
And though it vanished, gone from view,
Its spirit lingers, strong and true.

For in our hearts, it still takes flight,
Through forest green and starlit night.
A symbol rare, its memory deep,
The soul of Boulder Creek to keep. ~ Anonymous, printed by permission

Featured Photo: Albert the Peacock by Whitney Bull

There has been an outpouring on social media as the community accepts the news, and some form of tribute is in the works, whether it be a plaque, a statue, or a mural. This is a developing story and we will post details as soon as they are available. Additional story in the San Lorenzo Valley Post: Albert’s Ashes: A Peacock’s Tail

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