This study looks into the local attitudes and perceptions towards the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in Udupi district, Karnataka, an area that has undergone significant land-use changes, which have led to increased human-wildlife interaction. Peafowl numbers in India have increased due to their adaptability to anthropogenic landscapes and increased food availability in human-dominated areas, leading to both cultural appreciation and heightened economic conflicts, particularly with agricultural communities. While peafowl are revered in Indian culture, recurring reports of crop damage highlight growing tensions and the inadequacy of current compensation schemes and mitigation strategies, most of which prioritize damage by large mammals. This research seeks to address existing gaps by systematically evaluating the variation in local perceptions and attitudes along an urban–rural gradient in Udupi district and identifying the factors that drive change. Additionally, the study evaluates policy and management strategies currently addressing human-peafowl interactions, with a focus on compensation and negative interaction mitigation in comparison to approaches used for larger wildlife. Using primary data collected from stakeholders in the urban-rural gradient, the findings reveal that strong context-specific attitudes toward peafowl are influenced by cultural beliefs, environmental knowledge, perceived economic impact, and the degree of government engagement. The results emphasize the need for culturally informed, locally nuanced strategies for effective peafowl management and broader human-wildlife interactions.