There is a flock of peacocks living out at Napa Valley College, and the birds have become a kind of symbol of the college. I attended NVC back in the late 1980s and I don’t remember there being peacocks at that time. Were they purchased by the college?

Betty Malmgren, director of community relations for Napa Valley College, said the peacocks wandered onto the campus on their own and probably came from Napa State Hospital.

“We don’t have a flock anymore; we’re down to three. They come and they go,” she said. Concerned people on campus act as volunteers to look out for the well-being of the peacocks. For example, when the peacock population increases, said Malmgren, volunteers assist in relocating the birds to country homes. In the last year, two males have been relocated. Last spring, one mama peacock and her three babies were relocated.

Why are the peacocks appearing on campus at all? “We’re in a very natural, open area. There is a lot of wildlife here,” Malmgren said. In addition to peacocks, the college is home to roosters (three, currently), foxes, raccoons, possums, deer, herons, egrets, pond turtles, etc. Perhaps a name-change for the college is in order. Perhaps the Napa Valley Zoo?

Malmgren said feeding the peacocks is highly discouraged. Therefore, the peacocks feed themselves. Remember the old saying and please follow it: Don’t feed the birds! A quick Web search on “peacock diets” found that these beautiful creatures are omnivorous and feast on all types of insects, reptiles, amphibians, plant life and even (gasp!) rodents. Oh, rats!

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Glad You Asked attempts to answer readers’ questions. Are your feathers ruffled over a question? Send it to me at dmontanez@napanews.com or call 256-2224.