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St. Mary Magdalene's Retreat Yreka, California (530) 643-0858 * orders@stmarymagdalenes.org Peacock Feathers for Art,
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Purchase feathers with your credit card through PayPal
ST. MARY MAGDALENE'S CHURCH + + + ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS + + + CURRENT NEWSLETTER
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ST. MARY MAGDALENE'S RETREAT is a 40-acre ranch located near the end of Schulmeyer Gulch just south of Yreka. The property played a part in local history having been an old Indian campground which was later the site of a dance hall and saloon used by gold miners and loggers. The oldest structure on the ranch, once an adjacent brothel, has made an about face and has been consecrated the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, the namesake of the retreat.
As you can see from the pictures above, peacock feathers vary in length. The longest feathers have a flat end with no eye and are similar in appearance to the tail fin of a whale. These make the best cat toys because of their length. Eyed feathers or peacock sword feathers can be used in floral arrangements or for other decorating projects. We cater to the individual crafter, but will consider bulk orders if supplies are available.
Peacock Feathers:
All of the peacock feathers collected and sold each year are naturally shed every summer and are not plucked from the birds. The birds are "free range" and patrol the area freely eating insects and seeds from various grasses. Their diet is supplemented during the winter months with high protein cat food, cracked corn, poultry wheat and leftovers. They particularly like round-shaped kibble dry cat food and will help themselves to whatever is left in the dog food bowls, as well. During the spring they fan out their tails and do a little mating dance which, typically, the female totally ignores. This photo shows father and son with fans spread showing off for the peahen who is busy digging for insects. The fan is supported by a layer of underfeathers. From the back you can see the extemely long stalk end feathers and how far they stick out compared to the eyed feathers. In young males the support feathers grow in early and are actually longer than the juvenile tail feathers. Male peafowl (known as peacocks instead of peahens or peachicks) take approximately four years to develop their full plumage. Like human teenagers, the feathers come in gradually until the tail is full. The year old male pictured here has not yet developed the long flowing train of tailfeathers nor has his chest filled in with all blue feathers. In the photos the sword and moon feathers along the edges of the train are visible as well as the very long tail end feathers.
Peacocks make great "watch dogs" and are quick to sound an alert if they see or hear anything out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, they also like to roost on the hoods and tops of cars during the day (which makes for some interesting hood ornaments), but at night they fly up and roost high in the top branches of the tallest trees where they are safe from nocturnal predators and where they can keep an eye on anything out of the ordinary.
EYED PEACOCK FEATHERS ~ $1.00 each or $10.00/dozen
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Eyed Peacock Feathers Assorted Lengths
The classic 'peacock feather'. $1.00 each or $10.00 per dozen for any combination of eyed, end, and/or sword/moon feathers eye feathers 3"-12" long (84 available) eye feathers 12"-24" long (269 available) eye feathers 24"-36" long (514 available) eye feathers 36"-48" long (460 available) eye feathers 48"-53" long (22 available) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. |
LONG STALK PEACOCK END FEATHERS ~ $1.00 each or $10.00/dozen
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Long Stalk Peacock End Feathers (most 48" - 53")*
These are ideal for cat toys because of their length. Males only produce a couple dozen of these feathers per year since they frame only the end of the feather train. These are visible in the photos above. They do not have eyes, but resemble the shape of a whale tail. $1.00 each or $10.00 per dozen for any combination of eyed, end, and/or sword/moon feathers end feathers (274 available) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. * (There are many feathers available that are longer than 53 inches,, but the post office charges significantly more for shipping. We can let you know how much, though, if you really want the super long ones.) |
SWORD and SWORD & MOON FEATHERS ~ $1.00 each or $10.00/dozen
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Peacock Sword and Sword & Moon Feathers These are excellent for adding color and an exotic touch to dried bouquets and floral arrangements where an actual eyed feather would be a distraction.
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LARGE RUST WING QUILL FEATHERS ~ $2.00 each or $20.00/dozen
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Large Rust Wing Quill Feathers
Large rust male wing quill flight feathers for feather quill pens. Larger diameter quills than found on the peahens. Male quills "on the hoof" $2.00 each or $20.00 per dozen for any combination of wing feathers. (out of stock) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. Click on image to enlarge picture. |
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LARGE MOTTLED RUST WING QUILL FEATHERS ~ $2.00 each or $20.00/dozen
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Rust Mottled Wing Quill Feathers
Beautiful mottled rust male wing quill flight feathers for slightly finer feather quill pens. These are the feathers that transition between the large rust flight feathers and the large black wing feathers on the peacocks. $2.00 each or $20.00 per dozen for any combination of wing feathers. (out of stock) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. Click on image to enlarge picture. |
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LARGE BLACK WING FEATHERS ~ $2.00 each or $20.00/dozen
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Large Black Wing Feathers
Primarily used in Native American art in place of eagle feathers. Sometimes used for feather exchanges at Native American style weddings. These feathers grow on the wing just above the rust quill feathers and below the mottled feathers on the males and above the quill feathers on the females. Although both the male and female peafowl have these large feathers, the male's feathers have a slight hint of iridescence. Average length 14" $2.00 each or $20.00 per dozen for any combination of wing feathers. (132 feathers available) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. Click on image to enlarge picture. |
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LARGE MOTTLED WING FEATHERS ~ $2.00 each or $20.00/dozen
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Mottled Peacock Wing Feathers
Used for fly tying and also for feather exchanges at some Native American style weddings. These feathers grow on the wing above the dark gray-black flight feathers on only the male birds. They are the rarest of the wing feathers with each male producing only a very few large quality feathers per year. Average length 14" $2.00 each or $20.00 per dozen for any combination of wing feathers. (44 feathers available) Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order. Click on image to enlarge picture. |
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FLAT RATE SHIPPING
Please add $8.70 for shipping/handling of any size or combination order (the feathers are light, its the box that costs). Shipping is free for orders over $100.
We accept payment via PayPal.
FEATHER FRESH
Feathers are organic material and, as such, are subject to ageing. To keep your feathers fresh, spray occasionally with Lysol or other anti-bacterial agent. The feathers will turn a reddish color when they are wet, but should return to their normal color as soon as they dry.
IF PAYING BY CHECK or MONEY ORDER:
please make payable to:
Rev'd Christien Kensley for St. Mary Magdalene's
and mail to:
St. Mary Magdalene's Retreat
7821 Schulmeyer Gulch Road
Yreka, California 96097
IF PAYING WITH PAYPAL
If you are paying with PayPal you will need to calculate the GRAND TOTAL due including shipping and optional insurance and enter the TOTAL AMOUNT into the box that appears on the first page. In the Payment For box enter 'Peacock Feathers' and complete the information that PayPal requests. On the second page it will show only 1 item purchased, but further down the page there is a box called Message to Seller where you may itemize exactly which feathers you want and how many of each. This is a small operation so if we have any questions about your order, we will send you an email or you may email us with the specifics so we will know exactly what you want and you can just do the grand total amount on PayPal.
This page last updated 18-jan-2010
St. Mary Magdalene's Retreat
(530) 643-0858 * orders@stmarymagdalenes.org
