Peacocks are perfectly at home in the wild

THE RSPCA is urging residents in Royston not to attempt to catch the two wandering peacocks.

Last week, The Crow reported that Gillian Robertson and Dawn Dodd-Noble of Aylwins Farm, Sandon, offered the birds a home.

However, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA has advised residents to leave them alone.

"Peacocks are actually quite happy living in the wild, which the majority of them do. As long as they appear healthy they should be left alone.

"Unless they are under-nourished or ill there is nothing that the RSPCA can do."

She said it was "quite common" for peacocks to stray into urban areas. "People will ultimately think they are doing the right thing by catching them.

However, in reality what they will be doing is causing potential harm. What will happen is the birds will start to panic and that's when they can injure themselves."

She said that only people with experience of peacocks should attempt to catch the birds.

The two peacocks have been making their way around Royston and seem to like the gardens.

The spokeswoman continued: "What we would suggest is to try and keep the birds in the garden, while whoever is offering them a home comes to collect them.

"The best way to do this is to leave a trail of food for them, ideally chopped cabbage, apples, tomatoes or wholemeal bread.

"This will keep them there for a while, and if they do fly away they will find their way back as long as there is still food there.

"We would stress that they should only be caught by someone who has experience with birds - who can capture them safely and use the relevant expertise," she said.