Peacocks have been pictured roaming around a new housing estate - but residents aren't alarmed.

The colourful creatures wandering the roads and pathways at Sholden Fields in Deal sparked concern that they were 'on the loose' from a local farm or wildlife attraction.

One social media user even alerted the RSPCA via Twitter.

But the birds have in fact been bringing joy to both the old and young living at Sholden Fields near Deal.

The first sighting, according to one resident, was on Saturday, November 9.

Since then, neighbours have continued to post about them on a private residents' page.

The four birds, one of which is white, are thought to belong to a resident at the new housing development which was completed by Ward Homes in 2013.

According to resident Kaylie Golding, the creatures even stick to a curfew.

She said: "We think they are from Hull Place and apparently they go home every night as soon as it gets dark.

"They have recently started wandering around Sholden Fields estate and everyone loves them.

"We've been desperate to see them so were so happy when they came on the drive yesterday.

"The are very friendly, they came straight up to me and my daughter Pennie when we opened the front door."

Peacocks are ground-feeders that eat insects, plants and small creatures.

Technically, the term peacock should be reserved only for the male birds with the term peahen used for females. Peafowl is the correct term to refer to both male and female.

Peafowls are best known for their flamboyant tail feathers with elaborate iridescent colouration.

It is the male who boasts the more distinct, colourful feathers while peahens tend to be light brown in colour with white bellies. This is to help them easily blend in with her surrounding environment when caring for her young.

Both Kent Police or RSPCA say there have received no official reports of concern for the birds.

Do these peacocks belong to you? Please get in touch via eperkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

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