Peacock removal begins in 2016

Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock informed approximately 75 Villagers at the Longboat Key Arts Center Monday night that trappers will descend on the Village soon to trap a growing number of peacocks that are annoying residents. 

“Many of you have written, called or attended Town Hall meetings to complain about the peacocks,” Bullock said. “The need to control the peacocks is beyond what can be assigned to a citizens group any longer. The Town Commission has made a decision to thin the flock to 12 male birds.”

Bullock said the town is close to finalizing an agreement with Palmetto-based Nuisance Wildlife Removal, which reduced the peacock population eight years ago in the Village and is familiar with trapping and relocating birds to sanctuaries, bird refugee centers or farms around the state.

The contractor will charge a $1,500 setup fee for traps and cracked corn and charge $200 to catch the first 10 birds. Additional birds will cost $150 each to catch.

And for the birds that aren’t exactly bird-brained that know better than to be lured to the traps and hide in trees to avoid capture?

Those birds will cost the town $275 apiece to be trapped via flying nets or stunned from above with tranquilizer gun darts.

During the last week of December or in early January, the contractor will set up round pens that are 3-feet to 5-feet around and 5-feet to 10-feet in width and begin feeding the birds with the pen doors open on private properties they have permission to use.

In the coming weeks, Villagers will see trapper-designated vehicles and town trucks frequently driving Village streets to make preparations and begin feeding the birds.

“Look for some activity soon,” Bullock said. “We’ll figure it out as we go.”