Key Facts About Feral Pigeons

Feral Pigeons are a major problem in the UK and are common in all towns and cities. They are also found regularly in rural situations, often associated with farm buildings. Their close dependence on man for their food has lead to them becoming an increasingly serious pest problem.

The common Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) is 31-34cm in length and weigh 230-560g on average. Colouring can range from pure white, through various combinations to almost pure black. There is no visual difference between sexes.

These pest birds build their nests in sheltered, protected environments, commonly infesting buildings and other structures. Large numbers of nests are often found on the underside of bridges, within derelict buildings, loft spaces and sheltered ledges of buildings. These areas act as ideal breeding sites and can have significant deposits of bird fouling and nesting materials.

Feral Pigeons live for up to 4 years and breed prolifically, reaching sexual maturity 6 months after birth, and can produce 7 broods a year, each brood containing between 2 offspring.  Each bird eats up to 60g per day and produces about 12kg of droppings a year.


Significance of Controlling Feral Pigeon Activity

Feral Pigeons can quickly colonise areas, entering loft spaces and derelict buildings via gaps, damaged roofs and unsecured windows. Once they are in deposits of bird fouling build up quickly and can cause major damage. If left for a reasonable length of time this fouling can become layered to several inches thick. It is of the utmost importance to exclude pest birds where possible as the clean-up work resulting from and infestation can be costly.

Pigeons nesting and roosting on the external areas of buildings and structures should also be prevented where possible as the resulting fouling can damage the building structure due to its acidic nature or deposit on areas below, becoming unsightly.

The removal of bird fouling should only be performed by a trained individual as it can harbour bacteria causing diseases such Salmonellosis and Ornithosis.

Other issues arising from pest bird infestations are product contamination, public safety risks, loss of goodwill, excessive noise, bad smells and associated insect infestations.

Our highly trained service technicians are able to rapidly eliminate any infestation and install long lasting pest bird deterrent systems. Contact our Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen office for a service visit, survey or advice.


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Tags: bird, bird control, edinburgh, glasgow, pigeon, pigeon control

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