Peacocks are being banished from a Copenhagen park for repeated attacks of vandalism on cars parked in the vicinity.
The male birds have been attacking new cars or ones which have just been washed, according to Frederiskberg park's head gardener Soeren Selch. "When they catch sight of their reflection they mistake it for a potential rival for the affections of their females, and attack the paintwork viciously with their beaks," he explained.
Park authorities have decided to either kill the birds or banish them to the provinces after being flooded with complaints from motorists and claims for damages nearly reaching €7,000 last year. This year's figure was not available.
Bird-lovers are appalled at the move, and some believe it would be a better idea if car owners just stopped polishing their vehicles so as not to provoke the poor peacocks.