Pigeon Information, Biology and Identification

Why Control Pest Pigeons

Feral pigeons (Columbia livia) are the number one urban pest bird, causing damage where ever they nest or roost. Pigeons are descendants of domesticated European homing pigeons or Rock Doves, so they have a varied diet and feel at ease making their homes in man-made structures.

Generally blue-grey in color, with iridescent feathers on the head and neck, pigeons often have markings in black, white or brown on the wings and neck. A short neck and small head characterize the standard pigeon; their short legs, hind toes and level front allow for both easy perching on pipes and ledges or walking on flat surfaces. Pigeons generally nest in small, flat areas away from the ground such as building ledges, air conditioning units or window sills.

Pigeons are monogamous birds. "Eight to twelve days after mating, the female will lay 1 or 2 eggs which hatch after approximately 18 days. The male, during this time, is providing nesting material and guards the female and the nest." When pigeons are born, they feed on pigeon milk which is "a liquid/solid substance secreted in the crop of both adults that is regurgitated" into the mouths of the young pigeons. Most young leave the nest at approximately 4 to 6 weeks of age. During this time another batch of eggs may have already been laid. Breeding most commonly occurs during the spring and fall, but reproduction can occur all year long. A flock of pigeons will normally have an equal amount of males and females. A pigeon's normal lifespan in nature is about 3 to 4 years.

A pigeon can go, if necessary, a long time without food or even water. Most birds need a constant water source and that they will visit every day. Pigeons are skilled in finding water and food sources, and rarely have trouble finding a source in the city. Individual pigeons can have a home range of 150 miles, although most will stay close to home, which is generally considerably less than 25 miles or so.

If their food and water sources change drastically, however, they will migrate, to another spot, near or far, with better provisions.

Damage caused by Pigeon Problems
Pigeon control is important due to the damage and disease problems these birds often create, check out Health Risk page. The uric acid in pigeon feces is highly corrosive and can cause extensive damage to metals and other substrates it sits on for long periods. Debris from flocks of problem pigeons often build up, backing up gutters and drains which can cause flooding and roof damage.

Nesting materials and other debris has caused failures in machinery, especially rooftop air conditioning units which are a prime nesting spot for pigeons. Other frequent pigeon problems include slip and fall liability from feces or debris, plus an unclean, dirty company image is presented when pigeons are roosting all over a building or store front sign.

The bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in pigeon droppings are responsible for a host of serious diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis and more. Pigeons also carry ectoparasites for example: fleas, lice, mites, ticks, and other biting pests.

Many companies can have significant clean up costs due to the pigeon problems that they don't resolve. The pigeons that are located around airports threaten human safety due to a possible bird-aircraft collision. The U.S. Air Force considers pigeons as a medium priority hazard to jet aircrafts.

FLYING RATS ? Control Flying Rat call Arizona Wings N Stings
In today's world, the common structure-dwelling pigeons have become the avian equivalents of city rodents. "Flying Rats," as they have been described. Unfortunately, they have been forced into this role by man, as much as by their own natural instincts and habits. First and foremost to the problem of overpopulation, are the numbers of nooks and crannies that modern man builds into the exterior of all of his structures, forming the basic nesting home sites for pigeons and other birds. This means that almost every house, commercial building, bridge, billboard, gas canopy, or other large structure harbors a number of these potential nest or roosting sites. Bad for us, good for the pigeon.

DO NOT FEED THE BIRDS Signs don't really help

How bad of a problem do you have when you need to post a sign?

Although pigeons are not very smart, they are creatures of habit and will try to return to the same places as before looking for a way back into it's old nest site or favorite roosting spot, that's call bird pressure.

Pigeons also become habituated to humans, by being extensively fed by humans, as in outdoor eating restaurants, parks and schools which only aggravates the problem. Pigeons, domesticated for hundreds of years, are easily tamed and handled by humans. It is important to note that NO wild animals, including wild pigeons, should be fed, at any time, for any reason, by anyone.

SOME UNUSUAL PIGEON FACTS Pigeon control in flight, They need a solid landing surface
Remember to respect the pigeon. This chubby little bird has the uncanny ability to find it's way home, no matter what, and no matter from where. To date, science can only theorize as to exactly how the pigeons do this.

Trying to discover or prevent pigeons from returning home, researchers have tried to confuse them in every way possible. By transporting them to a remote location: In the dark, in randomly rotating cages, with strong or weak magnetic fields, with flashing lights, and even anesthetized, or any combinations of these, (and others too) nothing seemed to affect their navigation skills, even in unfamiliar territories.

Pigeons are suspected of using magnetic structures already known to be in their brains, but there was still no change in their ability, even when tiny, removable magnets were attached to their heads, supposedly to confuse these structures.

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