EcoLocalizer

A flock of approximately 80 peacocks and peahens are wreaking havoc in the Florida community of Longboat Key.   Residents of the island community are fed up with peafowl that roam freely in yards, streets and neighborhoods.  While peafowl are often seen as a Florida symbol to some, many complain the birds are noisy, destructive and messy.  Some say the birds can become aggressive and can also carry disease. Many of the birds attack dark-colored vehicles because of a case of mistaken identity!  Seeing its own reflection in the vehicle, the peafowl mistake its own reflection for that of another bird.  Due to the friendly climate and because no natural predator, the population is fast growing.

Due to repeated complaints, Florida officials have begun to trap and relocate the birds on Longboat Key.  According to reports, the birds will be moved to area farms. The relocation effort costs approximately $2,500 a year. Another roundup is expected to take place in January.

And Longboat Key isn’t the only area where the peacocks are causing problems.  Peafowl populations are now found in 20 Florida communities including Coconut Grove, Miami and Cape Canaveral.

Another highly publicized case involving a peacock occurred in May, 2008.  Sandra Maloney, a resident from Hawaii, admitted using a baseball bat to club a peacock in the head because she was sleep deprived and depressed.  The bird died several agonizing minutes later.  She was charged with second-degree cruelty to animals.  Although Maloney recently asked to dismiss the case, her request was denied.   And earlier this month, she fired her attorney, causing a delay in her jury trial, which will begin on January 11, 2010.

Peafowl:  Peacocks and Peahens

Peafowl include the beautifully plumed male peacock and the less colorful female peahen.  They eat on grains, berries, flowers, seeds, snails, lizards, insects and frogs.  Native to India and Ceylon, peafowl are not indigenous to Florida.   Some of the birds are believed to be former pets that escaped or were released.  Others may have come from roadside zoos.

 Peacock photo by Adrian Pingstone

 

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