Domestic Pigeon

Many people find pleasure in viewing pigeons. Because they are one of the few animals that tolerate the environmental conditions of an inner city, pigeons (and house sparrows) may be the only wildlife observed by many people living there. Look for flocks of pigeons in city parks and other places where the birds are accustomed to humans and gather to feed.

Within minutes of watching a large active flock of pigeons, you are bound to see several characteristic displays associated with courtship.

The bow is performed primarily by males after landing near a flock or standing in front of a prospective mate. With neck feathers ruffled, the male lowers his head and turns in full or half circles.

Driving occurs between members of a pair when other birds are present. The two birds will run in tandem with the male bird seeming to drive the female along.

Billing occurs between members of a pair, often just prior to mating. A female puts her bill into her mate’s open mouth, and the two move their heads rhythmically up and down together.

Figure 3. The best way to prevent pigeons from roosting or nesting on structures is to install barriers. (Drawing by Jenifer Rees.)

Pigeons are a major component of many urban and suburban wildlife communities. Most people don’t object to them unless they are present in large numbers. In such cases, their droppings may ruin vegetation, produce an objectionable odor, and damage property such as park benches, statues, cars, and buildings. Large accumulations of droppings have been implicated in causing several fungal diseases (see “Public Health Concerns”). Droppings combined with nest materials and feathers may block downspouts and vents on buildings. Finally, pigeons carry a variety of parasites such as mites and lice. When they nest near windows, these small pests can find their way into homes and bedding.

The most effective way to prevent conflicts with pigeons is to modify your home and property so as not to attract them. Limiting available food and water may help, but pigeons find food and water in many places, even far from where they roost and nest. Where people feed pigeons in their backyards, parks, or lunch areas, education can help reduce the pigeons’ food source; but this effort is often futile as there are always people who find the birds irresistible.

Following the suggestions below can reduce problems caused by pigeons roosting or nesting in and around buildings.

Occasionally a pigeon will get caught in a building. If this happens, turn off all inside lights and open all windows and other exits. The bird should leave on its own. If necessary, a broom or long pole with a T-shirt at the end can be used to direct the bird out an exit, or tire it to a point where it can be caught in a towel or similar item. If these methods fail or are impractical, a wildlife damage control company can be called to assist in the removal process. Call your WDFW Regional Office for contact information or look under “Animal Control,” “Pest Control,” or “Wildlife Control” in your local phone book.

Other situations where it is wise to hire such a professional to remedy pigeon problems include: removing a large quantity of droppings from an old or well-used roost or nesting site, and installing netting or other barriers high on buildings.

Install Barriers

The best way to keep pigeons from occupying ledges, window air-conditioning units, and similar sites is to install barriers. There are various ways to achieve this. Note: Established pigeons will fight any type of barrier put in place, especially if it is a popular nesting site. In such cases, the removal of pigeons prior to installing barriers is most effective.

• Install sheet metal, wood, Styrofoam blocks, or other materials at a 60-degree angle (Fig. 3).
• Place an outstretched slinky toy or a rolled-up piece of plastic mesh netting or chicken wire over the area.
• Place metal or plastic spikes, such as Catclaw®, Bird-B-Gone®, and Nixalite® (porcupine wire) where problems are severe or pigeons are persistent (Fig. 3). Metal coils (e.g., Bird Barrier®) function similarly. Electrified systems (Avi-Away®, Flock-Shock®, Flyaway®, VRS®) are designed to shock birds without killing them and thus exclude them from specific locations. These are commercial products available from farm supply centers and bird-control supply companies on the Internet.
• Tightly string single-strand steel wire (16-18 gauge) or monofilament line (80-pound test) between L-brackets installed at each end of the area used by pigeons. For increased tension, attach the wire to the L-brackets with turnbuckles. Install the wire so it will come to the belly of the bird—about 2 inches high.
• Install bird netting to block off indoor roosting and nesting areas (Fig. 4). If you can’t reach a ledge from inside a building, netting can be attached to the roof, draped across the front of the structure, and then tightly secured to the base and sides of the building. Such netting is available from nurseries and hardware stores; professional quality material and associated hardware is available from bird-control companies and over the Internet. Two-inch mesh netting works well for pigeons, and it isn’t as likely to trap small songbirds as the light, small mesh material. Install the netting so window washers can remove it or work under it.
• Cover the underside of rafters with bird netting to prevent pigeons from gaining access to roosting spots (Fig. 5). Previously used bird netting may be available, as well as used gill netting from fishermen or fish hatcheries. The cost of new netting makes seeking out an alternative worthwhile.
• Holes in buildings can be boarded up or covered with quarter-inch galvanized wire mesh.
• Commercially available sticky products are not recommended. They attract dirt and may melt during hot weather. In addition to people’s failure to use and monitor sticky products properly, these products can cause pigeons and smaller birds to suffer unnecessarily when they get stuck in them.

The cost of installing barriers may render them impractical on large buildings with extensive roosting sites. However, barriers are valid options for smaller areas. Always use care when working high above the ground and ensure that the barriers can’t fall and injure a passerby.

Check the covered areas as needed for accumulated debris or nest material. Regularly remove falling leaves and other matter that can cover the barrier and reduce its effectiveness.

If pigeons are likely to drop nest material and other debris on top of the newly installed barrier, add an additional barrier on the landing site above the installation.

Harassment Techniques

Noisemaking devices and scare tactics have little permanent effect on pigeons, particularly at well-established roosting and nesting sites. However, harassment methods can be effective when installed before pigeons become accustomed to using an area. They may also be effective on small groups of pigeons. Various harassment techniques include:

• Continually remove pigeon nests to discourage the birds from nesting. Pigeons will leave an area after several unsuccessful attempts at nest building. This approach is most effective after barriers have been installed. When using a high-pressure spray, make sure the contaminated water doesn’t spray where people are present. See “Public Health Concerns” for information on safely cleaning up bird droppings. When spraying is not possible, use a hook fastened to a long pole to remove the nests.
• Install a sprinkler in the roost tree or other roosting site or light up the interior of the roost with bright fluorescent lights.
• Contact your local falconer’s association to have a falconer come out to train their falcons weekly (search the Internet for “Falconers Association”). Trained falcons are especially effective at dispersing large flocks of pigeons and catching individual birds in large buildings. Most falconers will be reluctant to use their birds of prey near highways and other high-traffic areas.
• Ultrasonic devices have been tested by university, government, and private independent researchers, and were found to have no effect on pigeons.

Figure 6. Wire placed over a platform feeder to allow small birds in and keep large birds out. (Drawing by Jenifer Rees.)

Because domestic pigeons are relatively large birds, you can discourage them by using tube-type feeders that have small (or no) perches, and small feeding ports.

Some commercially available caged feeders designed to frustrate squirrels will let smaller birds in but also keep pigeons out. Wire mesh placed over a platform feeder prevents larger birds such as jays, starlings, and pigeons from accessing seeds (Fig. 6).