Why do peacocks roam the streets of Souris?

When you visit the Manitoba community of Souris, you'll find many of the expected attractions, including museums, parks, shopping, and friendly people. However, there is one thing you might not expect – a flock of peacocks.

The history of these birds in Souri begins 40 years ago in 1984 when one male and one female peacock were donated to the Victoria Park Bird Sanctuary.

“(They were donated because) they're a beautiful bird and a real draw to the city,” Jim Ludlam, who cares for the peacocks, said in an interview Thursday.

“It was like that. Many tourists come to see them.”

Some of the peacocks at Souri. (Source: Kim de Koning)

Now, four decades later, Souri has 15 peacocks – five in Victoria Park, five on the west side of the community and five across the river.

Ludlam said that the city has had a lot of birds and that they have heard complaints about peacocks entering the gardens.

“We had a predator problem. “A few years ago, we had vandalism,” he said.

“We are receiving complaints about them. Let's put it this way – people like them and people don't like them.''

As for whether the peacocks were an effective tourist attraction, Ludlam says they were useful. He said Souris has many other things to do, such as camping, museums and a golf course.

“I hope that when tourists come to the city this year, they will find a peacock and take a picture,” he said.

As for the future of the peacocks, Ludlam says he hopes Souri will continue to be home to these colorful birds.

“When they have long tails, I feel they are a beautiful bird,” he said.

“I've had two on my deck in the last month…the tails are so pretty.”