There is nothing quite as beautiful as a peacock strutting proudly with their long array of colorful feathers on display. If you have seen wild peacocks walking outside in an urban neighborhood, you might’ve asked yourself, “Do peacocks exist in the U.S.?”.
In this article, we will look to answer the question and cover the history and species of peacocks, which states have peacocks living on their own, and the abundance of wild peacocks in the U.S. today.
So stick with us to find out if wild peacocks are a native species in the US!
Are Peacocks Native To The U.S.?
The answer is no, peacocks are not native to the US. But…
Are There Wild Peacocks In The U.S.?
Yes, You Can Find Wild Peacocks In The U.S.
Peafowl can be found in Florida, California, Texas, and Hawaii, among other states. While they are often referred to as peacocks, the correct name for this exotic bird is peafowl.
- Peacocks: Male
- Peahens: Female
- Peachicks: Young
Peafowl are not indigenous to the United States; they originated from India and Southeast Asia. They are tropical in origin and have adapted to being a non-indigenous species in warmer climates, such as Florida and Texas.
Peacocks are omnivorous, and their diet consists of seeds, flower petals, fruit, insects, and small reptiles and mammals. They are not picky eaters and have been known to live in urban areas as long as they have green areas to forage.
If you visit places in Hawaii or California, it is common to see the peacocks scratching through leaves looking for food.
What are the types of Peacocks?
There are three types of peafowl:
- Indian Peacock: native to India and Sri Lanka. The most recognizable type of peafowl due to its stunning iridescent tail feathers, bright blue neck and head.
- Green Peacock: native to Java in Southeast Asia. Also has gorgeous tail feathers, deep green neck and head, which makes it distinct from the Indian Peacock.
- Congo Peacock: native to Africa. The smallest of the three peacocks, with no long tail feathers and black and blue.
So, how did peacocks get to the U.S.?
History Of Peacocks In The U.S.
Peacocks are originally from India And South-East Asia, though they are spread out throughout every continent except Antarctica!1
Because of their beauty, Peacocks have been a symbol of status for landowners dating back to the Kings and Queens of England, Pharaohs of Egypt, Emperors of Rome, and Tsars of Russia.
So, how did peacocks end up in the U.S.?
In the 1800s, those with money wanted to show off these beautiful birds by importing them from other countries.
Over the years, many of these colorful peafowl have found their way into the wild due to escaping from private residences, release from zoos, or being purposefully set free.
Let’s take a look at the history of some of the states that have wild peacocks, and how they ended up there.
Texas
One of the earliest places for peacocks to take hold in Texas was at Mayfield Park in Austin.
Prior to being a park, it was a private residence. Around Christmas of 1935, the residence owners, Dr & Mrs. Gutsch, were given a pair of peafowl as a gift from friends.
That pair mated, establishing the Mayfield Park flock. They loved the bird so much they added other types of peacocks to their flock.
Mayfield Park is now home to about 24 Indian Blue and Black-Shouldered types of peafowl!
California
Probably the first person to bring peacocks to California was Elias J. “Lucky,” Baldwin, a wealthy rancher and one of LA’s largest landowners.
After Baldwin died in the early 1900s, much of his property became the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
Hundreds of Baldwin’s peafowl remained at the arboretum and continued to thrive and reproduce. Many peacocks have spread to other locations in California.
Florida
It is not uncommon to find these beautiful birds roaming neighborhoods in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. So, how did they end up in Florida?
Peacocks have further established themselves as residents of zoos, and the wild population most likely escaped captivity. It is also suspected that private citizens released squirrels into the wild.
Whether they escaped captivity or were released to the wild, it really is a sight to see these beautiful peacocks perched in trees throughout the sunshine state!
Hawaii
Peacocks began their voyage to Hawaii in the 1800s. Today feral peacocks occupy most of the major islands including:
- Oahu
- Maui
- Kauai
- Big Island
Everyone knows about Hawaii’s royal princess, Princess Ka’iulani and her passion for colorful peafowl. She is sometimes referred to as “The Peacock Princess”!
There is a statue dedicated to Princess Ka’iulani in Honolulu that depicts her feeding one of her peacocks. Some say that her flock of peacocks mourned her death and could be heard squawking the night she died.
Can Peacocks Survive In The Wild In The U.S.?
As long as peacocks are provided with a warm climate, food, water and trees to perch in, they flourish in population. This is why areas like Hawaii, and subtropical areas like Miami with many food distributions, are perfect habitats for this non-native species.
Peacocks have resident pets and wild predators (like coyotes and raccoons) as their threats. Peacocks flock in numbers to safer ground, and if threatened, they fly as high as possible away from the danger of predators (or onto rooftops!).
What Is The Status Of Peacocks In The U.S.?
Feral Peacocks In The U.S.
What is the difference between feral peacocks and wild peacocks?
- Feral: domesticated animals (usually introduced non-natives) that now live in the wild.
- Wild: native species living outside captivity.
So technically, peacocks can be classified as feral species in the U.S , but these terminologies are interchangeable meanings for people.
Is It Legal To Own Peacocks In The U.S.?
Yes!! It is legal to own peacocks in the U.S. However, states, counties, and limits imposed on local governments may limit owners.
Peacocks are large bodied birds and require a lot of room, along with availability of reliable food, water, and shelter access while in yard habitats.
Many people are interested in ownership of peacocks, but do not understand the needs of peacocks and cannot take care of them. Check out what to feed wild peacocks in your own backyard for useful tips.
One of the bigger reasons so many have escaped or have been intentionally released.
What Are The Problems With Wild Peacocks?
Many people are experiencing issues with wild peacocks in U.S. cities. Peacocks are also very loud and vocal during mating season. This is the biggest issue that residents reported about these birds.
Wild peacocks are not a protected species in the U.S. They are not protected under Federal Law, but they are protected by cruelty laws. It is illegal to intentionally harm or kill a feral peacock.
Many cities also have animal control in regard to wild peacocks. Many urban centers are managing their wild peacock problem including:
- Trapping and relocation
- Banning residents from feeding wild peacocks
- Vasectomies on male peacocks
Are Wild Peacocks Invasive in the U.S.?
No, peacocks are not an invasive species in the U.S. However, many people think they are a nuisance bird.
Across the U.S., neighborhoods are split down the middle on whether or not they want peacocks in their urban ecosystem.
Are Wild Peacocks Destroying My Property?
During mating season, peacocks can be aggressive. There are reports of peacocks damaging property and cars.
It is common for peacocks to attack their own reflection. This sometimes results in them scratching cars and screens, because they see themselves from the reflection they’re attacking.
They can also do damage to gardens, flower beds, and compost piles as they’re looking for food.
Do Wild Peacocks Attack Humans?
It is not normal for peacocks to attack humans. However, if they feel threatened, they can attack humans. Usually, they use a loud screech to send a distress signal. If they still feel they are being threatened, they can attack humans using their talons and beaks.
Things you can do to keep safe:
- Do not threaten a wild peacock
- Be cautious around wild peacocks especially later in mating season (February-fall)
- Do not approach a peahen with her peachicks with you
- Keep children and small pets away
How To Get Rid Of Wild Peacocks On Your Property?
If you want to deter feral peacocks, you can start by:
- Not feeding: as long as wild peacocks have a reliable, consistent food source, they will stay
- Fencing: Install fencing or wire mesh around your gardens and flowers to deter the peacocks from eating them
- Netting: use netting to protect any vegetables you plant
- Sprinklers: the use of sprinklers and spraying water will deter wild peacocks from entering your garden
- Dogs: most dogs will deter wild peacocks from entering the yard
- Animal Control: If truly none of this works, call your local animal control so they can remove and relocate the birds for you
Where Is the Future of Wild Peacocks in the USA?
Wild peacocks are not native to the USA, however, there is a very well-established wild peacock population in many states.
Originally introduced by wealthy landowners as an ornamental bird, wild peacocks have adapted well to states such as Texas, Florida, California and Hawaii, where there is a plentiful supply of food and subtropical climate.
As with many different wild animals we encounter within our communities, many discussions continue to occur about the presence of the proud peafowl and the noise it makes, issue of destruction of property and interactions with humans and pets.
Nevertheless, the thought of the mystical beauty of a wild peacock continues to intrigue every resident in many states surrounding, where the unique nature of the exotic bird is still present, and the efforts now lie with identifying how to combine the charisma of wild peacocks with the impact they have on the environment and community they embody.