Pigeons are among the most prolific urban animals, and represent a considerable threat to your home or business. Having earned the unpleasant label "rats with wings," there's plenty of reason to avoid these birds. Pigeons can transmit harmful diseases such as ornithosis, encephalitis, salmonellosis and others. And aside from harboring bacteria, bird waste can also cause expensive property damage.
That being said, pigeons are rather remarkable animals, even if you want to keep them away from your property. Work with a pest removal specialist to develop a strategy to keep these birds at bay. In the meantime, here's a little bit more about what makes pigeons so special:
A troubled history
When European explorers first came to North America, they met a new species of bird unlike the pigeons they knew in the Old World. The now extinct passenger pigeon was one of the continent's most numerous animals. As Smithsonian Magazine explained, at the time that Europeans began to venture into the interior of the New World, passenger pigeons numbered in the billions. In fact, at one time passenger pigeons accounted for as much as 40 percent of the entire bird population in the U.S. By the 1800s, however, extensive commercial hunting of the passenger pigeon reached a critical point, and in just a few decades, the bird went extinct entirely. The last individual died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
Today, the pigeons you see in city centers and suburban parks across the U.S. and Canada are actually a non-native species. Called the rock pigeon, the bird originally hails from the Middle East, and came with European immigrants to the New World in the 1600s. For thousands of years this type of pigeon was used for sport, to send messages and kept as pets. Well-adapted to cliffs and valleys, the rock pigeon quickly thrived as cities in North America grew larger and taller. These birds have since spread around the world, and the rock pigeon is now a staple of urban areas all over the globe.
Impressive intelligence
What makes pigeons such frustrating pests is that these birds exhibit incredible problem solving abilities and a dynamic memory. The birds have used this brain power to fully master their urban environments. In 2009, a trio of pigeons in Brisbane, Australia was even observed working together to operate a drinking fountain in a city park.
Aside from finely-tuned cognitive abilities, pigeons are also master navigators. By leveraging an internal compass and their immense memory, pigeons rival even the most seasoned cab driver when it comes to getting around town. Pigeons have been known to recognize human faces and will remember precisely when and where they scored an easy meal.
Coexistence
With such effective survival tools, pigeons aren't likely to leave the urban jungle anytime soon. Instead, home and business owners must do what they can to coexist with these birds. The best bet is to make your property as unattractive to a pigeon as possible.
Start by getting rid of any easy sources of food and water. Next, eliminate places for the birds to roost. Nets and screens can be used to exclude birds from certain areas, while wire or spiked platforms along pipes, ledges and rooftops will force pigeons to find a new place to rest. Otherwise your home or business could become overrun with these creatures, causing unnecessary risk for your family or customers.
Work with a local pest professional service to identify the best bird exclusion plan. This partnership will keep your property safe from pigeons, geese and any other avian invaders.
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