Federico Bruni was sitting on a bench, eating bread, when a peacock approached to pick up crumbs. From the abandoned military barracks across the street, piercing bird calls were constant. "Those are the mating calls of males during breeding season", Bruni said.

Punta Marina, a coastal town in Emilia-Romagna, is home to over 100 peacocks. They inhabit abandoned gardens, perch on rooftops and fences, and roam the streets. They peck at car windows, seeing their reflections, and jump over apartment gates, defecating on doorsteps.

A peacock wanders the streets of Punta Marina. *Photo: Guardian*

The presence of the birds has divided the 1,000 residents. Opponents cite numerous problems. Francesco, a resident, stated: "They are too many; they frequently jump onto my balcony, leaving droppings. The worst is their calls during mating season."

Rosanna Golfarelli, a local pastry shop owner, noted that the birds peck at reflections, damaging vehicles. Bird droppings on sidewalks create hazards for pedestrians and cause traffic disruptions.

Claudio Ianiero, Golfarelli's husband, said: "Peacocks are beautiful, but there are too many. They mess everything up and peck at anything they find." He added that their calls at night cause residents to lose sleep.

However, some residents, like Federico Bruni, consider the peacocks part of the town. "They are no different from cats or pigeons; they have become part of the landscape", he said. In a courtyard near the pastry shop, a peacock named "Pirilampo" has become the model for peacock-shaped cookies sold to tourists.

A peacock perches on a residential fence. *Photo: Guardian*

Ilaria Sansavini, owner of a pasta shop, recounted the birds' origin: "Over 20 years ago, a male peacock left behind after its owner's death met a female in the old barracks. They bred and multiplied from there."

Initially, the flock lived in the pine forest behind the town. The population was estimated at 10 birds in 2018. When the pandemic broke out in 2020, with empty streets, the peacocks roamed freely and were fed by residents. Their numbers have now grown to about 120. Ornithologist Rosario Balestrieri noted that the pine forest is an ideal environment, but residents providing food accelerated the flock's growth.

The animal protection organization Clama has mediated the conflict by distributing flyers and erecting warning signs. Cristina Franzoni, a Clama volunteer, stated: "Feeding the birds makes them dependent on humans. This behavior can lead to penalties."

The Ravenna city authorities have deployed a street cleaning force and are preparing to count the peacock population.

Currently, two main opinions persist in the town: one half wants strict control over the birds to stabilize daily life, while the other wants to transform the town into a unique eco-tourism destination.

Bao Nhien (According to Guardian, CNN)