A swaggering peacock has relocated to a residential area in Guildford, Surrey, parading through gardens and demanding food – but residents have no idea where he came from
Residents have begun feeding Pete with an array of foods, including seeds and ice cream wafers(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
A rogue peacock has moved in to a quiet residential neighbourhood, swaggering through home owners’ gardens and appearing at windows demanding food.
The colourful bird, named Pete by locals, is even said to have forced his way into one home while scavenging for supplies. He was first spotted wandering proudly around the street, in Guildford, Surrey, six months ago, but despite calls to wildlife charities, parks and farms, no one seems to know where he came from.
Resident Jim Andy, 79, said: “I just opened the curtains and he was standing on the patio. I tried to feed him, but I didn’t know what to give a peacock. We have tried to find out where he is from, but we don’t know.
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Husband and wife Jim and Nicola Andy are among residents looking out for the peacock(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
“I was worried about him being near the A3 because he just flew in. He just flies from one garden to another. We all see him regularly knocking on the window for food.” Jim’s wife Nicola Andy, 78, added: “He is amazing. He is here every day.
“He doesn’t want to go apparently. He is our baby. If he is getting fed then he is quite happy. It is a shame he’s on his own. He needs a friend. He is so beautiful.”
Peacocks are opportunistic foragers known to eat a wide variety of plants and greens, including grains, seeds, berries, and fruits, as well as worms, and crops such as tomatoes. But Pete has a more expansive diet, which also includes ice cream wafers left out by locals.
He has become a beloved pet to some residents who have even started a WhatsApp group, called ‘Pete’s Pals’, to track his movements. Resident Jenna Mackay, 36, said: “He always comes to the glass doors and my dog barks at him and he puts his feathers up.
The colourful bird has become somewhat of a local celebrity, living in the gardens of the homes on Beechcroft Drive where he taps on people’s back doors for food(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
“He has been around for a while now. He is always at the back door pecking. He is quite funny. We have no idea where he came from, he just arrived one day. When people don’t see him for two days, they put it in the group chat asking where he is. We all love him. We did feed him when he first came, but then he started digging up my plant boxes so we stopped.”
Another resident, Trish Tye, 60, added: “He is coming increasingly often. I usually pop some peanuts out for him. I think we all give him different things. He always comes to the door and stares in, or he climbs up and looks at me through the window. It seems like he is looking for company.
“He always poos on the decking, but that is easy to clear away. He doesn’t make any sound. If we never fed him, I don’t know what would have happened. But he seems quite happy. He has a very varied diet.”
Pete is popular among most residents, but at least one cat is wary of him(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
Martin Dowland, who has lived in the area for ten years, says his garden is one of the most visited due to his herb plants, which Pete loves to nibble on. He said: “He is semi-tame. He has taken a mince pie out of my hand before. He is quite cute as well. He just lounges around being elegant.
The majestic bird first appeared in the area in October last year(Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)
“He came in the back door the other day. He always comes and looks at us through the window. We bought bird seed for him, but he is quite fussy, he prefers herbs. He flew over the fence the other day and it was quite scary because he has a massive wing-span. He is basically just a big blue chicken.”
Martin is worried Pete may find himself in trouble in the area, which is close to the A3 motorway. He admitted: “My cat is quite scared of him. I would rather he go home. Well, I say that, I want him to go, but I keep feeding him. I have a soft spot for him. I would like him to find somewhere that he is happy. It is quite dangerous here.”