Shivering Peacocks

[Hoggers]

Yesterday a Peacock was fluttering around in my garden shed. I caught it in my hands and took it outside. When I opened my hands rather than immediately flying off it crawled onto my finger and I felt it shivering. I couldn't see any movement of its wings but nonetheless could feel it trembling. It then flew away. Thinking about it afterwards I began to doubt myself! Has anyone-else come across this?

Hoggers

[Tony Moore]

Just warming up, I think ...

Tony M.

[bugboy]

Yes, just warming up it's flight muscles.

[David M]

Agreed. You more often see this with moths, but I have regularly seen butterflies doing it too, most notably Shepherd's Fritillaries at 2,200m in the Alps when the air temperature's barely 12c!!

[Hoggers]

It certainly was cold enough to make a butterfly shiver! Doesn't say much for the beginning of May!
Thanks for the replies,

Hoggers

[dilettante]

For those old enough to remember, Shivering Peacocks! sounds like something Captain Pugwash would have said. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Pugwash#Pugwashisms