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Feral Pigeon - Fact File

Size: 30-34cm overall body length. Weight varies from 250 to 550g, but is typically about 350g.
Markings: Varies considerably in colour, from blue-grey, through blues, purples, dark reds and mottled patterns to charcoal.
Location: A wide variety of habitats, from the deepest rural setting to the centre of a city. Closely associated with human habitation.
Detection: Visual sightings of adults. Droppings. Nesting materials. Smell. Presence of other pests such as bird mites or Dermestes beetles (qv).

The feral, town or city pigeon is amongst the most widespread of creatures, being found worldwide and throughout Europe. In this country it can be found in almost all environments including towns and cities, farmland, parks, golf courses, moorland and woodland. All attempts to eradicate them have failed.

Biology:

There are over 300 species of pigeons and doves around the world. Feral pigeons are believed to have descended from domesticated strains of the rock dove. In wild it then interbred (and continues to interbreed) with racing pigeons and pigeons from bird fanciers' lofts.

These birds are capable of breeding year-round, but peak season runs from March to late August. Nests can be found on virtually any ledge or horizontal surface which provides a modicum of shelter. The nest is usually made of grass and twigs, but many pest technicians will recount stories of nests made from plastic, wire and other scrap materials. The nest becomes more substantial with each brood raised.

A normal clutch consists of two off-white eggs laid on consecutive days. These are incubated for 18-19 days, and it can occur that the female incubates the eggs at night and the male take over during the day. Pigeons produce a protein-rich 'pigeon milk' - a cheesy curd that sloughs off from the lining of part of the crop. This is initially all the nestlings need. Later, at feeding times, the adults regurgitate food they have gathered and stored in the crop. Young are fed twice a day in the morning and evening. Fledging takes place after 30-32 days and a further clutch of eggs can be laid when the first young are only three weeks old. It is possible for feral pigeons to produce 9 broods a year, but 4-5 is more normal.

Reasons for Control:

Pigeons are often controlled more because of their nuisance value than because of any serious damage they do. Complaints can include the noise they create from cooing and scratching (especially in the early morning and evening), damage to cars, domestic premises, monuments and commercial properties due to droppings, the resultant smell, and of course the potential slip hazard. Pigeons can also carry several species of mites which can cause severe irritation of the skin. Numerous secondary insects are found infesting the droppings.

Another reason for control is the potential spread of disease from pigeons. The pigeon is often called 'the flying rat' and carries the most of the same diseases and many more besides. Their presence in around food producing factories, restaurants and cafes, food shops, farms and docks, hospitals and other such buildings must not be tolerated.

Treatment:

Pigeon control can be straightforward, but the public have a great affinity for these birds, so care and discretion should be employed unless you like the headlines of your local paper! As a specified pest bird, control of pigeons takes one of the following forms:

1. Exclusion. Where possible, the use of a proofing system can stop pigeon entry or perching / roosting, but the materials must be correctly applied. In high pressure sites where pigeons are determined to get onto the building, even these are not always fool-proof. Numerous systems, including post and wire, net, gel and spike systems are available for a wide range of applications. A specialist course should be sought to get the best from these techniques.

2. Repellents. Chemicals such as diesel and creosote are not approved as repellents. Scaring techniques have little long term effect on established populations.

3. Shooting. Good for control of discreet populations of pigeons. A .22 air gun with hollow point pellets is recommended, but rifles and shotguns are also permitted. Care must obviously be taken with this method to avoid accidents. Not suitable for control where adverse public reaction is suspected. Shooting work in urban situations should be notified to the local police.

4. Trapping (Cage). Live cage traps are useful in towns and cities to remove pigeons quickly and discreetly. Bait with bird seed, corn or Madeira cake. Pigeons captured in live traps should be humanely dispatched by shooting, neck dislocation or by a vet. Any ringed birds indicating a Homing Union or club should not be killed but the appropriate organisation or a local pigeon fancier should be notified.

5. Stupefying Baits. The use of alphachloralose as a stupefying bait is permitted under licence from MAFF. Advice should be sought and training must be undertaken to avoid accidents and incorrect applications.

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