Buddy of mine who grew up in Memorial (a very tony part of Houston) had peacocks wandering near his house.
The first time I heard one of them shriek, I almost jumped out of my skin. Scared the hell outa me! He'd been in that house all this life, and he said he was in his early teens before he got used to 'em.
I know Memorial well. I used to live in Missouri City. Houston would be a great place to raise peacocks (if you had a bit of land) because the climate is temperate. They can practically live on their own. They are a bit more trouble in Wisconsin with our long winters.
I wasn't there, but yesterday, my beautiful 5 month old granddaughter (the world's most beautiful baby --- just ask me) had her first field-trip --- to the National Avery in Pittsburgh. It's a great place to take the kids where you can walk right amidst the birds and most are very friendly and not at all shy among people.
From what I'm told, she had a wonderful time until a peacock came close to her and said hello by doing it's 'shriek' thing. I can't blame the little darling for being scared out of her whits by that. That is one loud noise.