Local News

Actions

Peacocks dividing neighbors near Russell and Sandhill roads

Posted at 7:25 PM, Jul 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-15 12:55:04-04

A very special species of bird can be found roaming the streets in one community near Russell and Sandhill roads.  

"I have seen as many as 15 in one gaggle," said Mike Soha, "they are in no way afraid of anybody."

Soha has lived in his southeast property for eight years. He says some most consider the birds the neighborhood celebrity.

"There was a hen with nine chicks," he said, "they are just a part of the neighborhood."

Dave Bradford, who has been in the community since 1983, agrees.

"We like them," he said.

But not everyone is a fan of the peacocks. One family, who did not want to be identified, said they called Clark County Animal Control.

"They've just become a nuisance," another woman said.

It is unknown how many wild birds are in the community. Some believe that a famous neighbor may have exasperated the problem. Soha disagrees.

"The peacocks were here before Wayne Newton," he said.

Bradford, a biologist, thinks the birds make the community more special. After spotting one nesting in his backyard, he put up red tape so yard workers would not upset the baby birds.

13 Action News reached out to Newton's publicists for comment late Friday. 

Statement from Wayne Newton

“The neighborhood was full of peacocks before we moved there. In fact, the person we bought the property from said they had been there when he first bought the property.  I love the peacocks in the whole community because they are beautiful and they were in the valley roaming before I came in 1959.  As an American Indian that means a lot to me. Also, I have never purchased a peacock, ever.”