• Peacocks can be noisy
• Peacocks tend to wander
• Peafowl like to roost in trees and on roofs where they can cause damage
• Peafowl are fond of cars and enjoy standing on them. They will also attack their reflection in cars and cause damage by scratching and pecking them
• Peafowl will often dig up flowerbeds and cause damage to gardens while foraging for food

Peafowl are not covered by any UK wildlife protection laws as they are not classed as a wild bird in the UK. They are not listed under the Road Traffic Act, so there are no requirements to report traffic accidents involving these birds.

Most birds will have owners as they are held as domestic pets, and the police can deal with stolen and lost reports. As domesticated pets, they are also covered by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 with regard to cruelty.

The council has a statutory duty to investigate complaints about noise and that would include noise from peacocks. In the event of a complaint, a letter will usually be sent to the owner or keeper of the peacock and the complainant will be asked to keep a diary of when the noise problem occurs over four week period. Officers will then consider the information and take steps to solve the problem

In the event of a Statutory Noise Nuisance being established, an Abatement Notice will be served upon the person responsible, or the owner of the property.

This can prohibit peacock noise coming from the premises and may carry a heavy fine should the notice be breached, as is a criminal offence. Upon conviction, Magistrates may impose a fine of up to £5,000.

To report a noise problem telephone Customer Services on 0300 300 8302

Please Note: Nuisance Legislation can only be used when the birds are on the owner's land and are causing a noise nuisance to neighbours from their calling. Nuisance legislation would not be applicable where the peacock has strayed from the owner’s property and is causing a nuisance to the person whose land the peacock is temporarily residing. The Wildlife and Countryside Act may be applicable in this case.

Section 14 prohibits the release into the wild of animals "not ordinarily resident" or that are not regular visitors to Great Britain and other animals listed on Part I of Schedule 9. These provisions are designed to prevent the establishment of non-native species that may be detrimental to our native wildlife.

This is legislation is not enforced by the Council.

Under section 2 of this Act, the keeper of the animal is liable for the damage caused if the damage is of a kind which the animal, unless restrained, was likely to cause or which was likely to be severe. Affected individuals should take legal advice on pursuing this course of action.

 This legislation is not enforced by the Council.

If the bird has had little contact with humans, just waving your arms and shouting should scare it off. If however it is tame it will see humans as a source of food.

Do not be tempted to feed it and make sure no food stuff is left out. If you feed it, you will encourage it to stay, and you may legally be seen as the keeper, and responsible for its actions.

Make enquiries at local estates to see if they have birds missing and see whether the police have any knowledge of missing birds.

If the bird is sick or injured contact the RSPCA advice line on 0300 1234 999. The RSPCA will not rescue or relocate any animal that is healthy and capable of surviving in the wild.