Peacocks are often used to represent sophistication and beauty, but a wild flock is causing chaos in the Canberra suburb of Narrabundah.
The pride has remained aloof to the urban warfare breaking out between pro-fowl and anti-fowl residents.
Mike Kelly from a nearby retirement village said the birds were a nuisance and needed to be moved along.
"Anywhere but here. Not in my backyard," he said
"It's lovely for people to look at them but it's quite a different kettle of fish to live with them."
Threats go beyond just the peacocks
Some residents of the same retirement complex have claimed they were being bullied for favouring the birds.
While another pro-peafowl family had their house vandalised after environmentalists wrongly assumed they were in the anti flock.
A build-up of complaints over the past 15 years has forced the ACT Government to develop a management plan that includes a recommendation to eradicate the population.
Most of the complaints have centred around hygiene, noise and disruptions to traffic.
Peacock droppings leave behind an unimaginably bad smell according to some residents, while others have predicted more sinister issues.
"It hasn't happened yet but people could slip and when you're older it takes longer for your bones to heal," Mr Kelly said.
Bird lovers flock together
The threat of euthanising the population has riled residents, with a pro-peacock petition attracting nearly 1,500 signatures.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr was dragged into the debate when answering questions on ABC Radio Canberra talkback.
He said the Government was consulting with the community on a draft management plan after years of complaints.
"Given the strong level of community support, the Government would of course give due consideration to community views," he said.
Red flags for peacock lovers include an option to trap and euthanise the birds on an annual basis.
Some long-term residents have defended the birds as a colourful hallmark of the suburb.
Striking birds have a rich history
Families have flocked to the suburb for decades to see the birds and many locals believe the phenomenon should be embraced.
The first peacock graced Narrabundah in the 1990s after being released from a private zoo.
"His constant braying attracted three more and that was the nucleus of the present population," resident Geoffrey Dabb said.
Mr Dabb is a member of the local bird society and considers himself a peacock moderate.
"Some members regard them as introduced pests which means there's really no justification for them," he said.
"I think it will be a pity if they do end up euthanising them."
Mr Kelly joked the peafowl should be sent to live at Parliament House.
"They'd be a good mixture. The politicians and the peacocks would go very well together."