Purloined peacocks Disappearance of birds from famed Delta hotel a mystery most fowl

Dozens of peacocks and peahens have vanished from the Ryde Hotel in the Sacramento Delta, leading staff to suspect theft. A customer reported seeing two men capturing one bird, prompting the hotel to conduct a count revealing only four birds remained. The birds, valued at $2,000 for males and $1,000 for females, have been a signature feature of the hotel for 14 years. General Manager David Nielsen expressed the staff's heartbreak over the loss, as the birds were treated as pets. Hotel staff described the peacocks as beloved, naming some, like the prominent male known as Baba, who had a friendly demeanor.

Since the incident became public, the hotel has received tips and sightings from the community, including reports of neighbors acquiring new peacock pets. Authorities are treating the case as a property crime, investigating the theft while the hotel enhances security measures with better surveillance and fencing. The disappearance of these birds highlights the community's bond with the hotel, as they have become integral to its identity and charm.