Where’s Niles? Edinburg family awaits return of beloved peacock

EDINBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- For eight years, a peacock named Niles has lived a comfortable life with Jeff and Janet Wendover. Two months ago, the free-range bird took a walk from his home in the town of Edinburgh in the Adirondacks and hasn’t come home since.

“Niles is part of our family and miss him,” Janet Wendover tells NEWS10's John Gray.

In the eight weeks he’s been gone, people all around the Great Sacandaga Lake community have spotted Niles. He’s even become a bit of a local legend.

“People see him and tell us or post it on social media, but we can’t seem to catch him,” Jeff said. “One day, I must have chased Niles through the woods for two hours,” he added.

They’re not worried about him right now since it’s summer and the insects and leafy vegetables are keeping him fed.

“If anything, he’s gained a few pounds,” Janet said.

Most evenings, Niles returns to the neighborhood and stands on a roof top. He calls out to his owners, and they call back. For now, it’s a fun game of hide and seek.

But winter will be a different story.

“We need to do more than just spot Niles; we have to get him home,” Jeff said.

They are confident once the temperatures turn and the snow flies, Niles will return to his backyard and pen, facing the harsh Adirondack winter with the chickens and bunnies he calls his friends.