ARCADIA, Calif. — Arcadia residents say they have a peacock problem.

The elaborately plumed birds have lived in the neighborhood for decades but as the population keeps growing, the peacocks are becoming a nuisance. 

What You Need To Know

  • Arcadia residents say they have a peacock problem

  • The birds have lived in the neighborhood for decades but as the population keeps growing, the peacocks are becoming a nuisance

  • County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said 10 to 15 peacocks have been relocated from East Pasadena and more are planned

  • Residents who want to request relocation can contact her office at kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov

Resident Albert Huang shovels peacock poop from his lawn and driveway twice a day, which he says is just one of the hassles of living in the neighborhood.

“It’s a love and hate relationship,” Huang said. “We love them and like how pretty they are. You can hear the sound, their mating call. So we really like the peacocks, but at the same time they can be really troublesome.”

Huang’s family has lived in the neighborhood since 1987. He’s seen the beautiful birds being born on his lawn. But now there are more than ever.

“Since 1987 until now, I think the population of peacocks grew 10-fold,” Huang said. “So that’s probably part of the reason why it’s becoming more of a trouble for the neighborhood.”

The peacocks were first brought to Arcadia decades ago from India by ranch owner Lucky Baldwin. They now occupy trees, stop traffic as they walk in the street and have damaged roofs. When they aren’t seen, they are heard even in the early morning hours.

Plus, people feed them even though city ordinances reinforced by signs around the neighborhood warn against it and threaten a $1,000 fine.

“For the people who live here, it’s a big problem for us because people start throwing food down on the road and a lot of times peacocks don’t even eat them so it becomes litter,” Huang said. 

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County Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion June 9 for a countywide ordinance prohibiting peacock feeding, as birds are spread out as far as San Pedro. She’s also working with wildlife experts to relocate the male peacocks to a sanctuary in San Diego.

“I’m never going to be able to eradicate and get rid of peacocks, nor do I really want to, but I do think we need to be cognizant of that fact that we need to control the population,” Supervisor Barger said. “The ordinance is going to be really no feeding of the peacocks but we’re going to see what teeth are in it. My goal is not to be punitive. Again it’s to educate people.”

Supervisor Barger said 10 to 15 peacocks have been relocated from East Pasadena and more are planned.

Residents who want to request relocation can contact her office at kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov