Pigeons are a common sight in cities and towns across the world. Their plump bodies and bobbing heads are familiar to most urban dwellers. Many people enjoy feeding pigeons in parks and town squares, finding it relaxing and therapeutic. However, increasingly, cities are implementing rules and regulations prohibiting the feeding of pigeons in public spaces. This raises the question – why are you not allowed to feed pigeons in many public areas nowadays?
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to why you are often not allowed to feed pigeons in public spaces:
- Overpopulation – Feeding pigeons leads to overpopulation and large aggressive flocks.
- Health hazards – Pigeon droppings can spread diseases to humans.
- Property damage – Pigeon droppings are acidic and damage buildings, statues, cars.
- Roosting and nesting – Pigeons tend to roost and nest where they are fed regularly.
- Public nuisance – Large pigeon flocks cause noise, mess, disturb people.
- Other wildlife – Large pigeon flocks can displace other bird species.
Why are cities banning feeding pigeons?
Many cities worldwide have introduced legislation completely banning or restricting the feeding of pigeons in public places. For example, London, San Francisco, and New York all have rules about not feeding pigeons. But why?
There are a number of reasons why cities have decided to impose these pigeon feeding bans:
Overpopulation
Pigeons can breed extremely quickly. The eggs take just 17 to 19 days to hatch and then squabs are ready to reproduce themselves by seven months of age. Pigeons can have up to four broods per year and mated pairs will often breed for life.
Access to regular and plentiful food sources from human feeders allows pigeon populations to rapidly expand beyond what urban habitats could naturally sustain. A flock can quickly grow to hundreds or even thousands of birds concentrated in a small area.
Health Hazards
Large pigeon populations pose a health hazard thanks to their droppings. Pigeon feces are highly acidic and can carry diseases transmissible to humans including:
- Histoplasmosis – a respiratory disease that can be fatal
- Cryptococcosis – a fungal disease that causes infections
- Psittacosis – a bacterial disease causing fever, chills, rash
- Salmonella – food poisoning
- E. coli – bacterial infection
- Campylobacter – bacterial infection
As pigeon numbers grow, these health risks are amplified for the human population. Their droppings end up coating urban infrastructure and buildings, increasing disease transmission risks.
Property Damage
The acidic and corrosive nature of pigeon droppings can also cause property damage as pigeon numbers scale:
- Statues and monuments become streaked and blackened
- Buildings and infrastructure corrode
- Cars get covered in droppings
- Roofs can leak due to accumulations blocking gutters and drains
This damage is unsightly and expensive for cities, businesses and individuals to constantly clean and repair. Controlling pigeon populations is much cheaper than continual restoration work.
Roosting and Nesting
As pigeon flocks grow, they start roosting and building nests in locations where they are frequently fed. This results in large accumulations of nests and droppings.
Popular roosting sites include:
- Ledges
- Signs
- Gutters
- Air conditioning units
- Vents
- Cavities
- Holes
Nests block drainage systems and ventilation, add weight load to infrastructure not designed to hold it, and excrete potentially hazardous waste. Their territorial nature and droppings also make nesting sites inhospitable and hazardous to other bird species.
Public Nuisance
As pigeon flocks reach hundreds or thousands in areas where they are regularly fed, they become a public nuisance in many ways:
- Noise from constant cooing and wings flapping
- Obstructing pedestrians on footpaths and plazas
- Excrement on benches, monuments, cars
- Disturbing diners at cafes and restaurants
- Contributing to vermin problems
- Generally unpleasant odors and sights
People soon complain and pressure the city to take action when pigeon numbers aren’t controlled.
Displacement of Native Species
Abundant food sources allow pigeons to thrive beyond sustainable levels. This excessive population growth displaces other urban bird species from their natural habitats. Native birds are forced to find new habitat or disappear from the area entirely.
Examples of species threatened by excessive pigeon populations include:
- Sparrows
- Robins
- Starlings
- Finches
- Blackbirds
- Crows
- Swallows
Banning feeding discourages pigeon overpopulation so other species can reestablish themselves.
What problems are caused by feeding pigeons?
In summary, key problems caused and amplified by feeding pigeons include:
Overpopulation
Abundant food allows rapid pigeon population growth beyond sustainable urban densities.
Disease Risks
Large accumulations of acidic droppings can spread diseases transmissible to humans.
Property Damage
Pigeon droppings damage buildings, infrastructure, vehicles.
Roosting and Nesting
Pigeons start roosting and nesting in locations where they are regularly fed.
Public Nuisance
Large noisy flocks become a nuisance to the public.
Harm to Biodiversity
Excess pigeons displace and harm populations of native bird species.
Do pigeon feeding bans work?
Banning the feeding of pigeons in public spaces is generally an effective strategy for controlling pigeon problems. For bans to work, they need to be:
- Enforced – Either by law enforcement, or fines for non-compliance.
- Supported – By education campaigns to encourage public compliance.
- Monitored – Ongoing monitoring of pigeon population levels.
- Funded – Adequate funding for implementation over sustained periods.
When pigeon feeding bans have the above elements, cities do see success, such as:
- Lower and stabilized pigeon populations.
- Reduced mess from droppings.
- Less property damage.
- Fewer disease transmission risks.
- Improved public opinion about the problem.
Bans take some time to take full effect as existing pigeon populations decline. Compliance and enforcement are crucial to disrupting pigeon feeding activities.
What are the arguments against pigeon feeding bans?
There are some arguments occasionally voiced against banning the feeding of pigeons in public places:
Pigeons will starve
There is a common misconception that introduced urban pigeons are fully dependent on humans for survival. This is false. Feral pigeons have adapted to urban areas globally and can survive without direct feeding.
Their natural food sources include:
- Scavenging waste grain and food scraps
- Insects
- Earthworms
- Seeds
- Fruit
- Berries
- Nuts
Banning feeding restores the urban ecosystem balance rather than starving pigeons.
It’s enjoyable to feed them
Some people argue they enjoy feeding pigeons and find it relaxing. However, this must be weighed against the significant problems excessive pigeon populations create for cities, businesses, and other people’s enjoyment of public spaces.
People can still feed pigeons on private property such as in their backyard rather than public spaces.
It’s not a significant source of food
There is a claim that human feeding does not provide a significant portion of a pigeon’s diet. However, food from people encourages pigeons to congregate in high densities around regular feeding spots. This concentration is the root of most pigeon problems.
Banning feeding helps disperse pigeon populations back to more sustainable densities across broader urban habitats.
They were here first
Some argue that pigeons have a right to urban areas as they inhabited cities before humans started constructing dense modern metropolises. However, the types of pigeons currently inhabiting cities are predominantly feral – mixing breeds introduced from domestic pigeons. Native wild pigeon populations are much smaller.
Regardless, even wildlife populations must be managed for public health and safety. Pigeon feeding encourages unsustainable numbers with problematic consequences.
Can you ever feed pigeons?
In locations where pigeon feeding is banned, you should not feed them as it undermines public policy aiming to resolve problems their overpopulation causes. However, responsible feeding is appropriate in some circumstances:
Private property
If you want to feed pigeons in your own backyard, balcony, or garden, this does not contravene public bans. But be wary of attracting pigeons to nest near your property which may cause issues.
Designated areas
Some cities have designated areas such as particular parks where feeding is permitted. This allows pigeon feeding enthusiasts to indulge their pastime safely away from locations prone to overpopulation.
Extreme weather
During weather extremes like winter cold snaps, supplemental feeding with responsible quantities may be warranted to prevent large die-offs from starvation and hypothermia.
It is preferable to work with wildlife officials to coordinate emergency feeding programs rather than doing so independently.
Key takeaways on pigeon feeding bans
In summary, key points on why cities ban pigeon feeding and how such bans work include:
- Pigeon overpopulation from excess food causes problems like disease, damage, nuisance.
- Bans aim to restore balance to urban ecosystems and pigeon numbers.
- Bans require enforcement, monitoring, public support to succeed.
- Compliance takes time but does reduce pigeon impacts.
- Pigeons don’t starve as they have natural food sources.
- Responsible feeding can be appropriate on private property.
Rather than being cruel, banning public pigeon feeding allows urban ecosystems to reach a sustainable balance for both people and pigeons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get fined for feeding pigeons?
Yes, many cities have fines in place for anyone caught feeding pigeons in prohibited public places. Fines may range from $50 to a few hundred dollars. In some areas there may be additional penalties for repeat offenders.
What diseases do pigeons carry?
Pigeons can carry a number of diseases transmissible to humans including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, and psittacosis. Their droppings allow quick transmission of these diseases where large flocks congregate.
Do pigeon droppings damage cars?
Yes, pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can damage car paintwork, dissolve protective layers, and lead to rust forming. The mess they create also needs to be cleaned off regularly to avoid permanent etching of the acid into the paint.
Why are pigeons a problem?
Excessive pigeon populations lead to problems like diseases from droppings accumulating, nuisance from noise and mess, damage to infrastructure from nesting and corrosive poop, and overcrowding of native bird species. Their rapid breeding cycle means numbers quickly get out of control.
Are feeding pigeons good or bad?
Feeding pigeons seems benign but actually enables populations to breed to unsustainable levels. The resultant overcrowding creates a number of problems for cities and people. So the consequences of pigeon feeding are ultimately detrimental in public spaces.
What are pigeon spikes?
Pigeon spikes are a deterrent device made of stainless steel spikes installed on ledges, roofs, signs and other structures to prevent pigeons from roosting and nesting. The spikes don’t harm birds but simply discourage them from landing on installations.
Do cats scare away pigeons?
Cats can be used to scare, hunt, and deter pigeons in some circumstances. However cats alone are not particularly effective for large-scale pigeon control. Other measures like bans on feeding and spikes are usually required alongside cats to reduce pigeon numbers.
How do you get rid of a dead pigeon?
Use gloves and grab the pigeon carcass with a plastic bag secured over your hand. Seal the dead bird in the plastic bag, then place it in your general outside garbage bin. Clean the area with disinfectant. Avoid direct skin contact and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Conclusion
In closing, banning the feeding of pigeons in urban public spaces is generally a prudent policy by cities to control overpopulation and the many problems associated with large flocks. The bans need enforcing and time to take effect, but are an effective and humane way to restore balance and healthy populations of both pigeons and native bird species. With public education and sustainable enforcement, pigeon feeding bans help resolve issues and make public spaces cleaner and more welcoming again.
