Latest news with #peacocks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Peacocks are overwhelming an Orlando neighborhood: ‘There's feces everywhere'
Peacocks are making life miserable for the residents of a neighborhood in Orlando, Florida. Residents at the Villas at Costa del Sol are angry about a bunch of peacocks who they say are damaging property and creating safety concerns by defecating all over the neighborhood and chasing local children. The frustrated Floridians said the problem began years ago when a resident introduced a pair of peacocks into the community. The birds reproduced, adding more and more peacocks to the area over the years. Now the birds are numerous, and are reportedly causing issues. 'There's feces everywhere and the kids play in the ground, you know that has so much bacteria, so that's one of the things we're worried about. They go after the kids, like if the kids were with their family and they're playing, they just run after them,' Maria Calderon, the volunteer HOA president at the Villas, told News 6 Orlando. Residents of the Villas at Costa del Sol in Orlando, Florida, are frustrated that a large community of peacocks have been damaging their homes and cars, scaring their children, and leaving droppings around their homes (stock image) (Unsplash/Gibran Hamdan) The birds aren't just scaring children and leaving droppings; they're also reportedly scratching up residents' vehicles and damaging their homes. According to Calderon, the birds see their reflections in the car panels and try to fight their reflections, leaving scratches and beak marks. One resident reportedly had to spend thousands to repair their car, and later switched to a lighter-colored vehicle that was less reflective to avoid bird attacks. 'They scratch your car because they think they're fighting,' the resident, who chose not to provide their name, told the broadcaster. 'All I hear is THUD THUD THUD cause they're pecking it with their beak, and they go to the other side of the car cause they think they'll get to that other bird. And then they're not just pecking at it, they're jumping up and they're scratching it.' Another resident, named Victor, told the outlet that birds have torn at his screen door and have flown onto his roof, forcing him to replace two tiles already. Unfortunately for the residents, if they want the birds gone, they'll have to foot the bill. The city of Orlando, Orange County, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have all said that removing the birds is the responsibility of the residents. That's easier said than done; Calderon said she's tried numerous public and private groups asking for help, but hasn't found anyone willing to take on the task. She said few organizations she's spoken with have the capacity to house the large number of peacocks loose in the area.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Peacocks are overwhelming an Orlando neighborhood: ‘There's feces everywhere'
Peacocks are making life miserable for the residents of a neighborhood in Orlando, Florida. Residents at the Villas at Costa del Sol are angry about a bunch of peacocks who they say are damaging property and creating safety concerns by defecating all over the neighborhood and chasing local children. The frustrated Floridians said the problem began years ago when a resident introduced a pair of peacocks into the community. The birds reproduced, adding more and more peacocks to the area over the years. Now the birds are numerous, and are reportedly causing issues. 'There's feces everywhere and the kids play in the ground, you know that has so much bacteria, so that's one of the things we're worried about. They go after the kids, like if the kids were with their family and they're playing, they just run after them,' Maria Calderon, the volunteer HOA president at the Villas, told News 6 Orlando. The birds aren't just scaring children and leaving droppings; they're also reportedly scratching up residents' vehicles and damaging their homes. According to Calderon, the birds see their reflections in the car panels and try to fight their reflections, leaving scratches and beak marks. One resident reportedly had to spend thousands to repair their car, and later switched to a lighter-colored vehicle that was less reflective to avoid bird attacks. 'They scratch your car because they think they're fighting,' the resident, who chose not to provide their name, told the broadcaster. 'All I hear is THUD THUD THUD cause they're pecking it with their beak, and they go to the other side of the car cause they think they'll get to that other bird. And then they're not just pecking at it, they're jumping up and they're scratching it.' Another resident, named Victor, told the outlet that birds have torn at his screen door and have flown onto his roof, forcing him to replace two tiles already. Unfortunately for the residents, if they want the birds gone, they'll have to foot the bill. The city of Orlando, Orange County, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have all said that removing the birds is the responsibility of the residents. That's easier said than done; Calderon said she's tried numerous public and private groups asking for help, but hasn't found anyone willing to take on the task. She said few organizations she's spoken with have the capacity to house the large number of peacocks loose in the area.
Telegraph
17-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Peacocks terrorising village renowned for its Spitfire pilots history
Residents of a village famous for its Spitfire pilot training history have claimed that peacocks are attacking their cars. Hibaldstow, in North Lincolnshire, has found itself menaced by nearly 30 peacocks, with cars being attacked after some birds attempted to fight their reflection in the paint or polished bumpers. Gardens and graves have been damaged, while residents have complained that the birds make loud noises at anti-social times. RAF Hibaldstow, where many Second World War Spitfire pilots trained, closed in 1947 but the long runways are intact and the airfield is used by police as a skidpan, model plane enthusiasts and a skydiving business. Last June, the North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre reopened there after a refurbishment, where visitors can explore the airfield command bunker, see military vehicles up close and join guided tours. The peacocks have been a part of village life since the 1960s, but now some residents are concerned about the increasing population. Les Gladwell, 75, a former shopkeeper in the village, recently opened his curtains and counted 18 peacocks in his garden. He said: 'They have absolutely ruined the garden, eating everything in sight, and they also attack my car. 'Because it's dark-coloured, the male birds see their own reflections in it and attack themselves. The pecking and scratching has caused a lot of damage. 'I often look out and see them surrounding the car with a couple sitting on top of it. I have to bang on the window with my shoes to scare them off. 'They are beautiful birds, and it's nice to see them strutting around the village for some, but it's become too much.' Sarah Filby said she kept a close eye on her five-year-old son when he went into the garden to play football. She said: 'When he was two, he found himself cornered by a peahen with chicks. They become very territorial and can be aggressive, so it was really worrying to see him trapped by them. 'I went out and managed to steer them away from him, and now he's a little bigger he's learning how to handle them himself. 'He goes out with his arms held wide and will usually manage to shoo them away, but I have to keep an eye on him and make sure he's safe. 'The numbers seem to have been growing year on year, and there's no doubt they can be a problem. 'They block the main road and drivers don't know what to do. They beep their horns at them, which just causes the peacocks to stand their ground and squawk back at the cars. 'We've had them wander into the house before, which was interesting. It's not easy to persuade a peacock they need to leave. 'I've spoken to environmental health about them, but they say they're wild birds, just like pigeons. I had to point out that they are definitely not just like pigeons.' David Stothard, a parish councillor, said could see the problems but did not think Hibaldstow would ever get rid of the birds. He said: 'There was a meeting in the village hall to discuss the issue, with one lady suggesting we needed to reduce the numbers, and it was attended by about 60 people. 'The conclusion was that the peacocks would be staying but she was welcome to move on if she wanted to.'
BBC News
16-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hibaldstow villagers divided over peacocks
People who share their village with up to 30 wild peacocks and peahens are divided over their feathery of Hilbadstow, Lincolnshire, said the birds had roamed the village for decades, roosting on roofs and in Farrow said he had to cover his window to stop them attacking and spitting at their own Peter Darling said: "It's a beautiful place to live and they're a phenomena that I enjoy." Wild peafowl - a term which encompasses both peacocks and peahens - can live between 20 and 25 years."They're lovely in their own environment. But the village isn't the right environment for them," Mr Farrow added."They're alright, but we've got far too many. We started off with a couple, and now there's about 30. You want to be here in a morning at 4am, and late at night."Other residents said the birds often peck at flowers in gardens and attack dark-coloured cars due to mistaking their reflections for other birds. Mr Darling, who moved to the village seven years ago, said: "They almost take over the place, but I wouldn't get rid of them at all. They're stunning creatures."Patricia Tipler, from Brigg, said she often visits the village and loves seeing the peacocks."I think they're lovely," she said."I'm a big fan. They're a bit noisy, but they're beautiful." Sussanne Chambers, from Peacocks UK - one of the biggest peacock farms in the country, said the birds would "settle where they feel safe and comfortable".She said: "Peacocks don't tend to fly very far. "There are numerous towns and villages around the UK that have peacock populations, which are welcomed by some - and despised by others."We do offer a peacock removal service and, in a situation like this, my recommendation would be to reduce the numbers rather than to remove the peacocks altogether."Hibaldstow Parish Council chairman Brian Brooks said peafowl have been resident in the village for over 60 years, originating from just one peacock and one said the parish council regularly received complaints from residents about the peafowl, "eating flowers in gardens or on graves and making soil baths in vegetable plots".But added: "They are feral birds and, like all other birds, ducks, pigeons etc, [the parish council] does not have any powers or duty over them." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Guardian
14-06-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘They could poo for England': the mystery of the peacocks plaguing a village
In a village there are many things that cause neighbours to argue: differences in politics, disagreements over hedge maintenance, disputes over who will be Santa this Christmas. In east Staffordshire, however, the battle lines have been drawn over something far more unusual. Over the past 25 years, the village of Tutbury has been the home of an ever-growing pride of peacocks and hens who some residents say destroy crops, leave large amounts of mess and whose distinctive calls can be heard at all hours of the day and night. George, who owns a patch of land in the village's allotment where crops are fortified to avoid being ransacked by the peacocks, says the birds are like 'marmite' to the village. 'The people who love them really love them, and the people that hate them really hate them,' he says. Like the situation itself, the peacocks' origin story is a unique one. According to residents, decades ago three peacocks were housed in Tutbury Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the village. Who put them there and cared for them is a source of debate, but all accounts say that one day whoever fed and looked after them, for reasons unknown, stopped, causing them to scavenge for food in the village. Some people also claimed that, possibly due to the Tutbury Castle being part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the peacocks are also technically owned by the king, hence the lack of action to control them. The disagreements have created such a divide that many of the doors you knock on refuse to speak on the record as people try to avoid conflict with their neighbours. Humphrey and Jackie Toon, 78 and 64, are two of only a few people in the village who feel comfortable making their feelings known publicly. The couple, lifelong residents of Tutbury, believe the peacocks don't mean any harm and are good-natured, but have become a nuisance. 'They wake us up at half four every morning – it's ridiculous,' says Jackie. 'They stop buses, they attack cars if they see their own reflection and they poo everywhere. They could poo for England.' Their sentiments are shared by others. One resident, who wished not to be named to avoid conflict with the peacock-loving household across the road, likened the experience of being surrounded by the birds to being trapped. 'It's like being in a zoo: they're around you, you can't get rid of them. It's like you're in the cage with them; day and night they're there.' They also said the constant noise from the peacocks has made it hard for he and his partner to recover from separate surgeries, and that they planned to move away from Tutbury to escape them. The local parish and borough councils said they were aware of the issue but that neither could do much to help because that was the responsibility of 'whoever owned the peacocks'.
