Not Showing Their Colors

Somewhere in the shade of the trees on Ranchito Avenue and behind the tall hedges of Cantlay Street, unseen creatures roam, the only evidence of their existence an ear-piercing screech.

Peacocks, perhaps as many as half a dozen, seem to be the uninvited guests of this quiet Van Nuys neighborhood.

For the last week, lured by the creatures’ caws as if by a siren song, a handful of residents has made a daily ritual of searching for the elusive birds.

But capturing one has been another matter, prompting other residents to question whether there are any peacocks at all in their corner of Van Nuys and if their neighbors are pursuing another urban myth.

“I haven’t seen them, but I sure do believe they’re here,” said Adriana Noonan, a Ranchito Avenue resident. “I can hear them at night.”

The city Department of Animal Regulation said once the peacocks are located, they can be trapped and transported to the Wildlife Waystation, where they can be set free to roam the sprawling animal sanctuary in the Angeles National Forest.

“We can’t do anything until a resident contacts us and tells us where the birds are,” said Kathy Mooney, chief of animal regulation. “Then, if they agree to monitor traps, we’ll set them up and wait for the peacocks to walk on in.”

For now, the residents are on their own. Since one neighbor reported spotting five peacocks last week, people here have been on the lookout and, just as some experts predicted, they have drawn a line in the sand--the peacock lovers vs. those who dislike the birds.

“Hate’s a strong word, but they seem to be a terrible nuisance,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of a pro-peacock backlash that could result from her comments.

Meanwhile, such residents as Noonan have no problem with the winged creatures indigenous to India.

“Other than what they leave behind, I think it’s kind of nice,” she said. “It kind of makes our neighborhood a little more classy, like Bel-Air.”

It is not the first time peacocks have invaded a Valley neighborhood. In fact, it happens any time a resident tries to raise peacocks, according to Martine Colette, director of the Waystation.

“Peacocks are very opportunistic,” Colette said. “If they could find a better life down the block, then that’s where they’ll stay.”

A good life for a peacock means a comfortable roof to rest on, trees with thick branches to roost in and easy access to food--which can range from plants to bread to pet food. Peacocks are most active during the morning, but are usually visible all day long, said Colette.

This makes the fact that only a few people have spotted the birds even more suspicious, some residents say.

“I went out looking for them a bunch of times and couldn’t find anything,” said Bob Noonan, Adriana’s husband. “I think the whole block has gone crazy.”