Many people in think of pigeons as ‘rats with wings’, when there is in fact, nothing further from the truth.
Pigeons are beautiful wild birds (they and doves are the same species). The only reason they now are found everywhere in urban environments, is due to lack of natural habitats, and people dropping litter (providing free and easy food, which is not as nutritious as their natural diet).
Pigeons are Super-Intelligent!
Pigeons are (like crows) one of nature’s most intelligent birds. They can use the earth’s magnetic field to return to a destination, and even can recognise themselves in mirrors.
Pigeons live in flocks and like many other birds (including swans and ducks) mate for life, once they have found their perfect pigeon companion. Interestingly, even the father produces the equivalent of our ‘breast milk’, so baby pigeons are fed by both parents in the nest.
The reason you never see baby pigeons, is because once they leave the nest, they look like adult pigeons.
There is actually no scientific difference between pigeons and doves, yet one species if loved, and the other not by many people. The only real difference is colour.
England’s Species of Pigeons
There are quite a few different species of pigeons in England.
- Woodpigeons are big plump birds known for their cooing call, very familiar in our parks and gardens. They also like farmland and woodland. They have white necks and pink breast feathers. Some live year-round in England, others migrate from Europe.
- Rock Doves are now only found in remote cliff and coastal areas. Feral pigeons are their ancestors, and the ones you most likely see on streets. They look similar to woodpigeons, but are smaller.
- Stock doves look like wood pigeons, rare. They don’t have white neck and wing patches.
- Collared Doves are often seen in gardens and parks, known for their pleasant ‘cooing’ call. If you look close, you’ll see these have little ‘black collar’ markings around their necks.
- Turtle Doves are rare (near extinction in the UK). These pretty small pigeons (with beautiful orange/black feathers) spend winters in the sub-Sahara, but live in England the rest of the time.
Turtle doves are endangered, due to people in France, Spain and Portugal shooting them on migration routes (also illegal shooting on a Greek island).
The ban to this in order to protect numbers, has recently been lifted by the EU, so could now send the birds extinct.
Are White Doves Related to Pigeons?
White doves are usually feral pigeons, bred for release at weddings etc, as they are trained to return home. However, these birds spend most of their lives in lofts (not free).
Many people disagree with releasing doves, due to hazards. At the Seoul Olympics, released doves flew into the Olympic flame.
And a few years back, Pope Francis released two doves from The Vatican, while two children looked on, horrified when they saw the birds killed by a crow and seagull within seconds.
You don’t need to ‘release’ anything to celebrate events.
What Do Pigeons Eat Naturally?
In nature, all pigeons and doves eat roughly the same foods: fruits, berries, plants, seeds, insects and spiders. They also like grains (corn, peas, millet, sunflower seeds and wheat), and occasionally eat earthworms and snails.
The problem arises in modern life, when pigeons start scavenging for ‘human food’. These adaptable birds (like most wildlife) will go for easy-pickings. So if nearby parks are filled with leftover sandwiches and fast food, they will feast on that instead.
Such foods are not natural for pigeons (or any birds or wildfowl). Stale and mouldy bread (and crackers) can harm or choke.
Salt is toxic, and fat (on buttered sandwiches) can smear on feathers, affecting waterproofing and insulation.
Are Pigeons A Protected Species?
Yes. Unless licensed, nobody can harm wild pigeons or doves in the UK, as they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
You can report concerns to Wildlife Crime Unit (anonymous through Crimestoppers if wished), or to Animal Crimewatch (you can message on Whatsapp).
Harming any creature that is protected under this law can lead to heavy fines (including per egg or chick if nests are disturbed) and even being sent to prison.
Gradually Reduce Feeding Pigeons
This is one of the most helpful things to do. Welfare campaigners are not fans of people who go to the park and then do ‘massive pigeon feeds’ each day’. Pigeons are very intelligent and soon get to know the feeder, and then keep coming back.
This stops them foraging for their own food, and means they come to rely on humans to eat, which is not good. And also brings them into contact with people who don’t like pigeons (and cats).
It’s important if already feeding pigeons, to gradually reduce feeding over several weeks or months, so they don’t starve.
Ideally do this in summer months, when there is plenty of natural food around.
The other main benefit of not over-feeding pigeons is that numbers will naturally reduce, as pigeons only breed according to how much food is around. This is the ultimate way to avoid lethal control methods (read more on this below).
Always take Your Litter Home
All wildlife suffer from litter, and pigeons especially as they are curious and quite tame, and often reside in urban areas, where there is more litter. The main sources of litter to avoid are:
- Plastic bags and can holders (cut loops before recycling)
- Disposable plastic face masks (snip strips before binning)
- Balloons (avoid or snip the knot with scissors, deflate & bin).
- Sky lanterns (avoid use)
- Cans (remove lids, wash & recycle)
- Elastic bands (cut open before binning)
- Anglers can use Monomaster to store fishing gear, until you find a fishing line recycling station.
- Cigarette waste (use a personal ashtray). All shops that sell vapes have to by law take old ones back for recycling (1.3 million disposables are binned daily).
Pigeons Do Not Carry Dangerous Disease
This is an urban myth given out by pest control companies. Even the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer told the House of Lords that they don’t pose a risk to human health.
The whole ‘rats with wings’ thing is just emotive nonsense. There is no evidence that pigeons spread disease. Mike Everett, RSPB
There is probably a greater risk to human health from eating intensively farmed supermarket chicken and eggs, than having contact with contact with pigeons. PiCAS International
In 50 professional work as a veterinary surgeon, I cannot recall one case of a zoonosis in a human that was related to pigeons. David Taylor (vet)
How to Humanely Reduce Pigeon Numbers
There is a very easy way to do this, if your town is bothered by masses of urban pigeons. There is no need for lethal control (hawks although used to deter, often tear birds to pieces in front of people).
But by far the easiest way is local campaigns, to educate on ‘how pigeons breed’. This is because pigeons only breed, according to how much food is around.
So the reason your town is full of pigeons, is simply because people are throwing them food, or leaving ‘free food’ (like fast food litter’) around.
This is why pigeon culls don’t work. If some pigeons are culled, this means more food for the remaining pigeons, who breed more. If there is less food available, pigeons simply breed less.
So people who ‘love feeding pigeons’ are causing pigeon population explosions. And if our streets were not full of ‘edible litter’, we would not have so many pigeons. They would return to breeding at natural levels, and go back to live in the woods.
In Switzerland, the government culled 100,000 pigeons over 24 years, and it had no effect.
Pigeon Act instead, began to educate local people on how pigeons breed and eat, and warned them not to feed pigeons in parks. In 4 years, populations halved. Sheffield City Council does the same, sending leaflets how to all local residents.
How to Deter Pigeons on Roofs
Pigeons and doves often like to nest on roofs, to bring up babies. Of course, the ultimate answer is to restore woodland habitats, so that pigeons breed and nest where nature intended them to.
Often you will hear wood pigeons flapping around in trees. This is usually two males vying for dominance. Occasionally it can turn into a real fight, but mostly it’s just flapping, until one backs down.
As stated above, pigeons are a protected species. So it’s illegal to intentionally disturb them or any nesting areas.
So avoid building work, tree-felling or hedge-cutting near nests, as this could cause the nests to be abandoned, and chicks to die.
Again not following this law, can lead to heavy fines and a prison sentence.
You can only remove unhatched eggs from an unused nest from 1 September to 31 January (and must not keep them).
Birds often return to the same nests the next year. And some birds often use the nests of other birds, it’s all part of nature.
Do Anti-Perching Spikes Work?
The word ‘spike’ does not sound very bird-friendly. But in fact, anti-perching spikes are recommended by welfare organisations, as one of the best ways to deter unwelcome birds on roofs.
They are made from hard plastic or metal, and angled so it’s uncomfortable (not painful) for birds to land, so they move elsewhere. It’s best for them to be installed professionally (and inspected regularly).
Defender Bird Spikes are made in Devon. This is a quality brand that is sold worldwide. It has full installation details and recommends its own silicone adhesive for firm placement and years of use (conventional glue is not safe or effective).
Sold in various types, visit the site to find which version is best, and contact their experts for advice. The ends are blunted, so as not to injure birds (there are also seagull spikes for longer legs, and smaller spikes for smaller birds).
Bird netting and mesh is not a good idea, as it can trap birds and other wildlife. Some on sale also has hole diameters way larger than recommended by wildlife experts.
Regularly clearing moss and other plants from your roof, can help to deter birds from nesting nearby.
How to Help Injured or Orphaned Pigeons
- If you accidentally disturb a half-built nest, you could put nesting material in a basket or plant pot, and securely attach it to the nearest tree.
- Either way, birds can then decide whether to rebuild the nest (which may now not be stable) or build another one.
- If you find baby birds (with no feathers), return them to the nest. Fledglings (baby birds with feathers) are likely almost ready to fly, and likely have parents nearby, still feeding them.
- So just watch and observe, they should take flight pretty soon. If they are in danger, place them in a sheltered pot nearby.
- Help Wildlife has a useful page on how to help baby pigeons (and how to know which ones need help, and which ones don’t).
- Birds that need help are hatchlings on the ground (with no nest nearby or if parents are dead). Or if a bird is bitten by a cat (due to bacteria – it needs help from a vet or wildlife rescuer).
- You can report where people are using netting to deter birds at wildlife@rspca.org.uk (or speak via online chat) and they will try to contact the owner, to educate.
- Report all dead wildlife in your garden at Garden Wildlife Health Project, to help them keep records.
Finding Racing Pigeons in Gardens
Racing pigeons are easily recognised, if you come across one in your garden or park. Their legs will be ringed (with ID numbers and sometimes phone numbers).
- They are fairly tame, so cover them with a towel and gently lift the wing, to see who to contact.
- Most racing pigeons are simply resting, after travelling a long distance. Organisations suggest feeding water in an empty margarine pot (or deep bowl) and seed or crushed cornflakes.
- After 24 hours or so, the pigeon will likely be rested, and fly back home. If not, report stray racing pigeons (also report to National Pigeon Association).
How to Remove Pigeon Poop Off Cars!
We’ve all been there. Park your car under a tree and return to find the gulls and pigeons have used it as a toilet!
- Bird poop left on car paint for a long time will burn, so it’s best to remove it immediately.
- Bird poop can sometimes contain seeds or stones, which is why it can scratch paintwork.
- Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a litre of warm water, then shake to mix.
- Spray from a bottle, leaving to soak for 10 minutes. Then rinse off with a wet cloth or hose.
- To prevent more birds pooping on your car (apart from not parking under trees), a survey found that birds hardly ever poop on a green car (perhaps because they recognise the colour?)
Get To Know Our Most Misunderstood Bird
The Pocket Guide to Pigeon-Watching is an interesting little book, to convert anyone who believes that pigeons are ‘rats with wings’. Pigeons are amazing creatures and until only recently, humans adored them.
It’s mostly due to the media (and people leaving litter everywhere) that problems have ensued. In this illustrated guide, learn:
- Why pigeons coo
- How they flock & kiss
- How they mate (monogamously)
- How their raise young (on chunky pigeon milk!)
- Anatomy and identification
- What to do if you find a baby pigeon
This book is here to give the pigeon’s image a makeover, and help every urban dweller discover the joys of pigeon-watching.
A New Zealand species of pigeon likes to eat certain fruits that sometimes ferment and turn to alcohol. It can get so intoxicated that it passes out and falls from its perch.
Wildlife care centres often get inundated with inebriated birds, brought in by concerned citizens.
