Californiacrazy tanda 8k8's peacocks ruffle some residents

They block traffic, destroy gardens, screech incessantly and poop on cars and roofs. And the males peck violently at parked cars when they mistake their own reflection for a romantic rival.

They are peacocks, hundreds of birds that roam freely across streets and lawns of homes in California's San Gabriel Valley, northeast of Los Angeles. They have been in the area since the late 19th century, descendants of a small population imported from India by a wealthy businessman.

Some of those who say they hate the birds because they are a nuisance have tried to hit them with their cars, shoot them with pellet guns or poison them. Lovers of the birds and their beautiful plumage feed and water them.

It is unknown how many peacocks live in LA County, but county officials say that there are easily hundreds, and that over the last two years, the population has exploded because peacocks are prolific breeders. Scores have been seen standing on homeowners' lawns, on rooftops and casually sauntering down city sidewalks. They have become naturalized to Southern California climate and are protected by law.

"They wake me up at dawn. They sound like babies being tortured through a microphone, a very large microphone. And that is probably the start of my complaints," Kathleen Tuttle, 68, a retired prosecutor who lives in East Pasadena, told The Washington Post. "There's no way you can sleep through it, and it's extremely distracting."

Nancy Adams lives just a block from Tuttle. "I love them," Adams, 67, said of the birds. "I know there's people here that don't like them. I say, 'Why don't you move?'"

Maria Gunnell said the peacocks were born in the area and deserve to stay there. "I spend a lot of money just buying feed for them, and I don't mind it," she told ABC News.

"It seems like you either love them or you hate them," said Mike Maxcy, a retired zookeeper who contracts with city and county governments to relocate peacocks at around $200 a bird from residential neighborhoods to large ranches or farms where they can run free with ostriches or other animals.

"I've been doing this as a side job for over 20 years, and I've never seen such a polarizing topic or discussion," he told the Los Angeles Times.

Maxcy works with willing residents such as Tuttle to set up big cages in their yards and lures the birds in with food like nuts or berries. Once captured, they are transferred to a kennel before being moved to a welcoming environment.

What is dividing so many residents of the area is whether people should be allowed to feed the feral birds, which can become aggressive when they depend on humans who scatter bread crumbs, dog food and bird food in their yards and driveways for them.

The issue has become so contentious that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this month to draft an ordinance that will prohibit residents from feeding the animals.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose San Marino neighborhood is home to peacocks, led the initiative. She said that the cities of Pasadena and Arcadia already prohibit feeding peacocks, and that it was time for the county to follow suit. The measure is modeled after a law in Arcadia that makes the offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.

"They actually do just fine without us feeding them," Barger said. Feeding them "is creating a larger population that is breeding, and it is impacting the communities".

The plan for now is that animal control will humanely capture the peacocks and then relocate them to farms in San Diego or Bakersfield.

Arcadia, more than other communities in the area, embraces the peacocks, which are the city's emblem. The Los Angeles County Arboretum, home to more than 100 peacocks, is located there.

In January, with the coronavirus still rampaging and local businesses struggling for innovative attractions, the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association inaugurated a new mascot, a person in a peacock costume named Perdy Peacock who makes promotional appearances and dances in corny TikTok videos.

Donna Choi, the association's executive director, said Perdy has proved to be a hit and will be participating in a Fourth of July parade.

"I think that the peacocks have their home, and we should coexist," Choi said. "I think it's a great opportunity for all of us to learn how to live with each other. … I mean, how many communities can say they have peacocks running around?"

Because of the Board of Supervisors' ordinance, Pantoja-Hooley said she is considering no longer feeding the birds. But she still will put out water.

"I know that they do peck cars. I saw them peck a Tesla," Pantoja-Hooley told the Los Angeles Times. "But I think they're beautiful. They're unusual. They give our little area ... that little something."

As for Barger, the county supervisor, even if the peacock situation is brought under control, it might not be the end of her bird-related headaches. There is now a proliferation of wild parrots in the area, she said, estimating that their numbers have quadrupled.