MIDDLEBORO — Flocks of wild turkeys often meander on and around Soule Street in Middleboro.

But in recent weeks, a certain flock boasted one that was particularly big and showy.

That turkey, it turns out, was no turkey at all but a peacock known, appropriately enough, as Big and Showy. 

Big and Showy is actually a pet owned by Diane and Rick Grey of nearby Plympton. He had originally belonged to their neighbor but kept wandering over to the Grey home and eventually “adopted us,’’ Diane said with a smile.

The Greys, who own Mazzilli Farm Stand in Wareham, even named him. Big and Showy, it turns out, is what customers sometimes request of the flower displays they make.

And the description, they decided, also fit their beautifully colored new friend.

Big and Showy became a familiar and comforting presence at the Grey home. He had the run of the yard during the day and often sat on the deck outside while the Greys were steps away in their sunroom. “We grew to love him,’’ she said.

But on Jan. 6, everything changed. A dog brought on to the property by a visitor chased the peacock. 

Big and Showy turned tail and fled the yard _ and, as it would turn out, the town.

That left the Greys heartbroken. “I was kind of torn up,’’ Rick said. 

They worried how Big and Showy would survive the very cold temperatures, which were at times accompanied by ice and snow, without having the Grey barn to hunker down in.

The Greys made posters explaining that the peacock was missing, posting them on telephone poles in the area and listing a phone number to call with any sightings.

The signs paid off. Soon, the phone started ringing, with several of the calls coming from the Soule Street area.

“They said, He’s heading to Middleboro,’’ Diane said with a laugh.

And Big and Showy, the callers reported, wasn’t alone. He was often seen with a large flock of about 50 wild turkeys.

Turkeys are no strangers to Big and Showy. The Greys own several domestic turkeys and the peacock often hung out with them. He was also fascinated with the wild turkeys that would visit the Grey property, Diane said.

By befriending the wild turkeys, Big and Showy proved how savvy he was, Rick noted. Finding a spot among a wild turkey flock ensured he would find food to survive.

But he was missed. So the hunt was on. 

Every morning just after dawn, “before we even had coffee,’’ Diane said, they would make their way down Soule Street in search of their colorful feathered friend.

They did see him at times, with Diane at one point getting within three feet of their pet. But capturing him? “Forget that,’’ she said. 

But the neighborhood kept a careful eye on the peacock and regularly updated the Greys. “We couldn’t believe how great everyone was on Soule Street,’’ Diane said. “They’d tell us, We saw him crossing the street.’’

And they cared for the peacock. Neighbors threw out corn and sunflower seed for the turkeys and would make sure Big and Showy ate his fill. 

But capturing him proved elusive. 

That is, until a neighbor let them set up a dog kennel, which they filled with food the bird would like. When Big and Showy entered the contraption on March 1 to enjoy his snacks, the neighbors quickly closed the door shut.

Big and Showy’s great adventure was over. 

Back home in Plympton, he no longer has free range in the yard. For the time being, he is being kept in their barn in a relatively small enclosure. The Greys place some of their turkeys with him for company and companionship.

In time, they hope, Big and Showy will become less skittish and more comfortable in the home that he left two months ago. Then he will be more free to roam the property.

Peacocks tend to be timid, Rick said, so he may take some time to become reacclimated. The Greys spend time with their pet as often as possible, talking to him and reassuring him he is now with his true flock.

While his turkey pals continue to roam the wilds of Middleboro, their most colorful member is no longer among the missing.

Big and Showy has come home to roost.