Managing peafowl in the ACT


Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl (pavo cristatus) is a member of the pheasant family and is native to India and Pakistan. Peafowl were deliberately introduced to Australia in the 1800s. It is likely the feral peafowl population in Narrabundah originated from small number of peafowl that either escaped, or were released, from a now closed animal park located on Mugga Lane in Symonston. These birds, or their offspring, predominantly reside in Narrabundah however there have been reports of sightings of individual birds in nearby Griffith and Red Hill. There is also a small population of peafowl in Pialligo, primarily on private land in the vicinity of the garden centres on Beltana Road. It is thought these peafowl may have originated from pets that have either escaped or been released.

In 2018 the ACT Government undertook consultation to understand the community’s preference for how the peafowl are managed. Feedback was also sought on a draft Peafowl Management Plan 2018-2023 (PDF 582.4 KB). More than 400 people made submissions. The overwhelming majority of people wanted the peafowl to be allowed to remain in the area.

bar graph showing the peafowl population survey results

The ACT Government decided not to proceed with the draft plan and not to proceed with removing the peafowl. Instead some extra activities were undertaken to help address traffic safety concerns in particular. As a result, wildlife crossing signage has been erected at the intersection of Carnegie Crescent and Brockman Street in Narrabundah.

The ACT Government remains committed to working with the community to determine an appropriate way to manage the population in the future.

If you live in an area with peafowl and do not want them visiting your property. Here are several things you can do to deter them. These include:

  • using sprinklers or a hose on your garden as peafowl do not like water
  • landscape your garden with plants peafowl dislike - for example, agapanthus, camellia, geranium, gardenia, lavender, rhododendron and roses.
  • do not feed them
  • do not leave household pet food outside for peafowl to access
  • keep compost bins/heaps covered – peafowl feed on the scraps and insects
  • cover garden beds – use physical barriers such as chicken wire or stakes to prevent peafowl from accessing an area of the garden.

Residents (or someone acting on their behalf) can trap peafowl within the bounds of their premises provided it is consistent with the Animal Welfare Act 1992.

Rehoming any trapped peafowl is an option. Animal welfare issues would need to be considered in the trapping, transporting and future housing of any peafowl. Environmental and social impacts would also need to be considered and addressed before relocation occurs.

Please visit animal trapping permits for more information.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.