In the community of Arcadia in Southern California, peacocks are not just beautiful “exotic birds,” they have become a part of residents’ daily lives, almost like “neighbors.” Strutting down the streets with their colorful blue and green feathers, they add a touch of poetic beauty to the city but also bring practical challenges to the residents.
The history of peacocks in the city can be traced back to the early 20th century when the “Lucky” Baldwin introduced these magnificent birds from India. Over the past century, peacocks have thrived in the San Gabriel Valley and gradually become a symbol of the city, even being incorporated into the city emblem. However, behind the beauty lies the hidden conflicts of coexistence between humans and birds.
Some new immigrants, especially Chinese residents, have fed or tried to adopt peacocks out of love. However, the city of Arcadia strictly prohibits feeding them, with violators facing fines of up to $1,000 or six months in prison. The city government emphasizes that feeding them leads to rapid reproduction of the peacock population, causing them to appear more frequently in the community and disrupting the ecological balance.
Ms. Wang, who has lived in Arcadia for over twenty years, mentioned that peacocks peck at car windows, mistaking their reflections for rivals, and even cause damage to roofs, trample gardens, resulting in high repair costs. But for bird lovers, peacocks are like pets, they name them and enjoy watching them. However, the city government warns that excessive closeness will only deepen the conflicts and increase peacocks’ dependence on humans.
Plants unexpectedly become a key factor in harmonizing human-bird relationships. Gardeners have found that peacocks prefer rose petals and tender shoots but avoid plants such as rhododendrons, lavender, mint, and rosemary; flowers like geraniums and impatiens, although bright, are also not on the peacock’s menu. Therefore, residents who want to protect their yards can choose to plant these “peacock-unfriendly” flowers and herbs to reduce disturbances.
The name Arcadia originally derived from ancient Greece, symbolizing an idyllic pastoral land, now being anthropomorphized by peacocks, representing both beauty and challenges.
The city government reminds residents that besides peacocks, bears and coyotes also enter the community frequently due to droughts and wildfires. If residents encounter threats, they should immediately call 911; if they find injured or dead peacocks, they can report it to the Pasadena Humane Society; and any unusual coyote behavior will be handled by the San Gabriel Valley government association.
Whether it is sealing off basement crevices to prevent coyotes from nesting or properly managing trash to avoid attracting wildlife, all actions are based on the principle of maintaining an appropriate distance from animals. Only by doing so can this land named “Arcadia” find true harmony between beauty and order in this so-called “pastoral” place. ◇