Peacocks
Peafowl = peacocks and peahens
The male peacock and female peahen form the collective species of peafowl.
These birds were introduced to Australia from India during the colonial period. They are bright and beautiful but disruptive with their loud and distinctive call. Without proper care, peafowl can be a nuisance for Cairns residents.
Peafowl are not prohibited or restricted invasive animals under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Peafowl behaviour
Peafowl are generally calm but can be noisy, especially during the breeding season (August to January, peacocksaustralia.com). Male peafowl make loud calls to attract females, which can be disruptive. They may also wander into gardens looking for food or shelter.
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Reporting Peafowl Issues
If you are concerned about Peafowls at your property or Council land contact Council on 1300 692 247, or submit a report on the Council Website or My Cairns app: Report a problem | Cairns Regional Council
If you see an injured Peafowl, please do not touch it.
Contact the RSPCA on 1300 264 625
Regulations for Keeping Peafowl in the Cairns Region
Peafowl are considered noisy birds under the Cairns Regional Council’s guidelines.
Property size and regulations:
- Less than 800m²: Keeping noisy birds, including peafowl, is not permitted.
- 800m² to 10,000m²: A maximum of 1 peafowl may be kept with a permit.
- You are not permitted to keep noisy birds in conservation planning areas (under CairnsPlan 2016) or in a unit or dual occupancy premises.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-environment/animals/birds,-poultry-and-other-animals
Coexisting peacefully with Peafowls:
- Feeding peafowl can harm their health, make them dependent on humans, and disrupt their natural behaviours.
- It may also encourage them to stay in one place, potentially causing damage to gardens and landscaping.
- Peafowl are attracted to food sources, so be sure to secure trash bins, cover compost piles, and remove pet food from your yard.
- To protect your garden or property, consider gentle deterrents like fencing, netting, or motion-activated sprinklers.
- During mating season, peafowl can be more active and vocal, particularly at dawn and dusk.
- Peacocks display their feathers and call loudly. Please be patient and understanding—it’s part of their natural behaviour.
- Pets can stress or harm the birds, and keeping an eye on them helps avoid conflicts.
- If you have dogs or cats, be sure to supervise them and/or keep them on a lead when peafowls are nearby.
- Always observe peafowls from afar. If they feel threatened, they can become stressed or act defensively.
- Promote respect for wildlife and encourage other people and especially children to respectfully observe peafowls without disturbing them or attempting to approach them.
- Slow down when driving in areas known to have peafowls or other wildlife.
- Always be alert, especially during dawn or dusk when animals are more likely to be active.
Non-harmful ways to deter peafowl from your property:
- Peafowl dislike sudden movements and water. Install sprinklers to gently deter them but be mindful of local water restrictions.
- Check your local water restrictions here: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/water-supply-and-use/water-use-and-restrictions
- Use netting or fences to block peafowl from entering gardens or vegetable patches.
- Avoid leaving pet food or food waste outdoors, as these attract peafowl.
- Certain plants, such as lavender, rosemary, thorny bushes, agapanthus, camellia, geranium, gardenia, rhododendron and roses may discourage peafowls from entering specific areas. These plants are not harmful to the birds but create an environment they are less likely to frequent.
- If peafowls are congregating in certain areas of your yard or property because of their design, you can modify it. For example, you could remove low-hanging branches where they like to perch or alter garden features to make them less appealing.
- Place rubber snakes or plastic predatory birds in your yard to scare peafowl away.
Last Updated: 3 February 2026
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