By Coral Gables Gazette staff

After spending more than $25,000 and removing 141 peafowl, Coral Gables is escalating the issue beyond City Hall — voting April 14 to push Miami-Dade County, all 34 of its municipalities and state officials to act.

The City Commission approved two resolutions unanimously. The first, that Mayor Vince Lago sponsored, urges Miami-Dade County to reexamine its approach to peafowl mitigation. The second, proposed by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez immediately after the first vote, formally added peafowl mitigation to the city’s official legislative priorities in Tallahassee — elevating it from a local policy matter to a formal lobbying position before the state.

Both resolutions passed 5-0.

City seeks broader response

The resolution directs staff to transmit the city’s request to all 34 municipalities in Miami-Dade County, the Miami-Dade League of Cities, state legislators, state senators, and the governor’s office.

Mayor Lago said the goal is to build consensus among local governments to address the issue across jurisdictional boundaries — because a city acting alone cannot solve a problem that migrates freely across municipal lines.

“We’re trying to build a coalition here,” Lago said. “They (the peafowl) are everywhere. We cannot handle the issue for other communities. We need to work with other cities and work in conjunction.”

He pointed to a specific geographic challenge: when neighboring municipalities do not manage their own peafowl populations, the birds move into Coral Gables through corridors such as LeJeune Road. “If our neighboring communities like the City of Miami do not address this, they just travel through LeJeune and come into the south side of the city,” the mayor said. “We’re having a major issue.”

Costs, removals, and contracting

City Manager Peter Iglesias confirmed that the city has removed 141 birds and spent more than $25,000 under its existing mitigation efforts — figures that had not previously been reported publicly.

The city is also moving forward with a formal contract for humane nuisance pest removal and relocation. Bids for the contract closed December 23, 2025, and staff are currently reviewing submissions. Once awarded, the contract will govern the capture, transport, and relocation of peafowl, as well as chickens and roosters, from public rights-of-way and city-owned property.

The work stems from the city’s Peafowl Mitigation Policy adopted in 2022, which followed a Miami-Dade County ordinance allowing municipalities to opt out of earlier protections that had prevented local removal efforts.

Commissioners cite impacts across neighborhoods

Commissioners described a range of impacts during the April 14 discussion — birds appearing on rooftops, blocking streets, and behaving aggressively toward pets and residents.

Lago said residents have reported sleep disruptions from early morning noise, property damage, and sanitation concerns. Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson said the birds are also affecting local ecosystems. “A 40-pound bird can wipe out a lot more butterflies and a lot more little worms that are making very endangered butterflies than our native mockingbirds, cardinals, and woodpeckers,” she said.

Fernandez said the birds are appearing in areas where they had not previously been common, including parts of Little Gables, which he passed through on his way to the meeting. He also referenced a notable shift in perspective from a former county official who originally sponsored peafowl protections and has since described that position as the biggest mistake of her political career.

Commissioner Melissa Castro described a recurring presence of approximately 15 peafowl near her home — on the roof, in the front yard, and in the street — and said the birds have attacked her Yorkie during walks. “I think we need to do something about them but in a very humane way,” she said.

Lago acknowledged the political sensitivity of the issue following the vote. “Prepare to receive a lot of hate mail,” he told colleagues. “But we’ve got to do something.”

Separate concern: Coyote sightings

Commissioners also raised concerns about a separate and escalating wildlife issue: coyote sightings in the North Gables area east of Granada Boulevard, which Fernandez said have increased significantly over the past three to four months. Residents have expressed concerns about children playing outdoors.

Commissioner Richard Lara cited guidance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommending hazing techniques — motion-activated sprinklers, audible alarms, and assertive human behavior — as more effective and humane than removal. He noted that removing coyotes from an area typically results in other animals moving in to fill the territory.

Anderson said coyotes have been observed at Matheson Hammock Park and at a Girl Scout camp and noted reports of small dogs being taken during walks in other areas. She directed the city manager to investigate and report back. “We’re not used to this here,” she said.

Iglesias confirmed that coyotes are considered vermin under state law and can be hunted year-round with a standard hunting license — but acknowledged that hunting is not a practical option in an urban setting. He said the city is currently evaluating licensed trappers who may be able to assist.

The Gazette reported in February 2026 that coyotes are now established in all 67 Florida counties and that the city had begun coordinating with the FWC on the issue. Tuesday’s commission discussion reflects a more urgent tone, with Fernandez describing the North Gables sightings as requiring formal city response rather than monitoring alone.

What comes next

On peafowl, the city will transmit its resolution to county and state officials and continue the procurement process for a removal contract. The addition of the issue to the city’s legislative priorities means it will now be part of Coral Gables’ formal advocacy efforts in Tallahassee.

On coyotes, the city manager will investigate potential trapping options and report back to the commission. Residents who observe coyotes or concerning behavior are encouraged to contact the FWC at 561-625-5122.