PORTLAND — The Oregon Zoo is putting its peacocks and peahens up for adoption to suitable rural homes — just as soon as keepers can catch them.

Peacocks have wandered the grounds for as long as any employee can recall. Mike Keele, deputy director at the zoo, says the flock once number 30 or more.

But the zoo has steadily reduced the numbers as concerns about disease transmission between free-flying birds and captive animals escalated. Keele says fewer than 10 peafowl roam the zoo today.

The zoo decided to eventually farm out the whole peafowl flock after it became better understood that the birds might be able to transmit salmonella, West Nile virus or other diseases to species confined in exhibits.

Last week’s an attack on a boy propelled zoo staff to expedite the plan.

One of the birds scuffled with a 4-year-old boy, landing on his head and scratching his face. The child did not require medical attention.

But catching the birds could be a challenge.

Keepers did gather all the peacocks in 2002 so veterinarians could perform vasectomies. But doing so took a few months: The peacocks swiftly learned to fly off and perch high in fir trees when they saw a uniformed zookeeper headed their way. The birds also tend to fly on and off the zoo’s grounds whenever the mood strikes them.

Once they gather up the birds, the zoo hopes to adopt them to farms in rural spots where the birds’ shrieks and messy habits won’t annoy the neighbors.

Keele said he had a pair of pet peafowl as a boy.

“They follow you around,” he said. “They look forward to seeing you. They’re wonderful animals.”

Those interested in adopting one or more birds can go to the zoo’s Web site — www.oregon zoo.org, click on “Contact us” and ship the zoo an e-mail.