As real as it gets

Imagine taking a shortcut through a suburban neighborhood only to find hordes of peacocks walking the streets. They perch in trees, stomp on flowers, aggregage on roofs, and shriek like whiny babies. Although feral peacocks are rare in most parts of the world, they are quite common near the Arboretum of Los Angeles. Why? Well, you can thank the founder of the city of Arcadia, Elias “Lucky” Baldwin, who imported a few of the exotic birds from India at the turn of the century. Over time, the birds reproduced and now live within a 1/2 mile radius of Mr. Baldwin’s former estate (the current Arboretum). One elusive bird is even white.

Those are not reindeer up on the rooftop

The City of Arcadia has even produced a brochure on the peacock. Feeding the feral birds can potentially result in a $1000 fine and up to 6 months in jail. Some more info:

Peafowl can grow to a maximum of 10 pounds and can live up to 15 years in captivity, however the life expectancy in the wild is difficult to determine. They are omnivorous, obtaining most of their food with their feet. They come in a variety of colors including blue, green, light brown and purple. The India Blue peafowl is the most common in this area and the one with which people are most familiar.

Peafowl are a beautiful addition to the landscape of Arcadia. They add beauty and grace to our suburban lifestyle, while being a truly unique and historical addition to the city we all love. By taking a little extra
effort and following these helpful tips, it is possible to live harmoniously with the peafowl, while still keeping your property one of distinction and high quality.

Additionally, although peacocks may scream like children, they enjoy foods that human children traditionally hate. They love brocolli, brussel sprouts, and young spinach.