Village homes overrun by peacocks

Experts say the problem could get worse

Residents in a quiet Worcestershire village claim they are being plagued by a flock of exotic birds.

The peacocks were a novelty when they first arrived in the village of Cookley but now they have become a nuisance.

Residents say the 14 birds are damaging the roofs of their homes, ruining gardens and leaving a mess.

Now a Wyre Forest District councillor has decided to take the problem under his wing by trying to find out who owns the birds.

Rapid increase

Councillor Chris Nicholls said he was working with residents to find a way to capture the birds and find them a new home.

"We have not been able to track down the owners at all.

"Nobody has said they actually own the peacocks and it's something we would like an answer to."

James Wheeler from Birmingham Botanical Gardens said the problem could get worse as the breeding season was under way.

"They can lay anything up to 30 eggs in a season, but normally they lay between 10 and 12, so you can get a very rapid increase in the population."