Random Peacocks Are Roaming the Neighborhoods of South Haven

The peacock is a wild and exotic species, not unlike the Chicagoans who make South Haven, Michigan, their second home all summer. Unlike those Friendly Illinois People, the peacocks may not know when it's time to leave. Birds of a wide-tail feather are flocking together in the southwest Michigan coastal city.

The birds have apparently been running through neighborhoods throughout the summer of 2023. As we approach colder weather, the South Haven police department posted the following on Facebook concerning about the birds as winter approaches.

SHPD posted:

Reference the peacocks at large: South Haven Police Department is happy to work with any and all volunteer/rescue groups who intend to save these birds from the harsh winter months.
Although this is not a police matter we truly appreciate the assistance.
Please reach out to us and/or let us know if rescued. So far, we do not know identity of owners or circumstances.

References to the birds to back to at least August on social media and has been the talk of the town. On the South Haven Chatline Facebook group, a poster shared that a hen was seen on Erie Street and was followed by commentors sharing photos of the birds they encountered. A city council member says the birds were discussed at a candidate forum.

Peacock sightings are rare and newsworthy, but not a first in West Michigan. A peacock was a common sight north of Kalamazoo in the spring of 2023. The bird frequented the gas station at D Ave and US 131. In August, a pet peacock was on the loose in Newaygo County north of Grand Rapids.

Certainly, there are those who keep the exotic birds. These, however, are the animals that can not be kept as pets around America:

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany

Filed Under: south haven

Categories: Michigan News