Peafowl | Peahens & Peacocks | Indian Peafowl or Pavo cristatus

Founded almost 125 years ago, Longbeach Village on the northeast end of Longboat Key near Sarasota on the west coast of Florida cultivates a laid-back art-colony style. The community started as a fishing village, and residents say they live in "The Village" in much the same way as a Manhattanite says "The City."

As the story goes, some artistic soul introduced a pair of peafowl to decorate their artsy lawn in splendiferous displays of iridescent color. Live peafowl. Prolific peafowl. Peafowl begot more peafowl and, without a will to cull the free-roaming flock to the agreed limit of 12 birds, peafowl took over The Village.

My wife recalls a peafowl couple whom her father introduced to their family property. King Tut and his lovely bride, Ida, never reproduced. Strangely, after a few nights spent wandering the neighborhood and calling to each other, the pair disappeared.

The more than 80 birds strutting their stuff around The Village of Longbeach require more drastic measures. There are too many birds for area sanctuaries to adopt. There are pro- and con-peacock contingents stating their views.

The story continues in 2010!

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/respres/ / CC BY 2.0