Pigeons |
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History and Biology: The Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) is not native to North America. It is a descendant of the Rock Dove of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The first pigeon in North America is thought to have been from domesticated birds raised for food in about 1606. The Feral Pigeon has successfully adapted to a commensal life and is now established throughout the world. Columba species are usually referred to as Pigeons, but actually include the large Band-tailed Pigeon and the Rock Dove. The two differ primarily in plumage coloration. The Band-tailed Pigeon is consistently a basic blue or gray with a dark band across the tail while the Rock Dove exhibits a wide variety of colors and patterns including shades of blue, red, brown and white. Feathers are often highlighted with iridescent colors. Pigeons eat grain, seed, fruit, and nuts; they are the only North American bird that can suck or siphon water into their esophagus with their bill held down in the water. Pigeons require a large amount of fresh water, up to 15% of their body weight daily. During the nonbreeding season, Pigeons feed in flocks and may travel 13 miles from roosts to feed. Pigeons build simple nests of twigs on platforms or ledges, hence the name Rock Dove, from nesting on ledges and in cavities of rocky cliffs in the wild. Pigeons raise up to 5 broods per year of one to 2 eggs per clutch. The adults feed the young by regurgitation of predigested food called Pigeon milk. The inherent habit of nesting in rocky cliffs is what causes the Pigeon to be a significant nuisance in urban areas. The buildings and highway structures built by humans resemble the natural rocky cliffs, with ledges and cavities, used by the Rock dove in the wild. Additionally, water from air conditioning condensation drains and pans, leaky water pipes, and roof top puddles simulate the fresh ground water coming out of rocky cliffs and are attractive to the pigeon. State or federal laws do not protect feral pigeons. However, certain control measures may be regulated locally. Public Health Damage: Feral Pigeons and their droppings create a serious and constant health problem. They may be a reservoir for the transmission of diseases to humans (zoonotic diseases) such as pigeon ornithosis, salmonellosis, and several forms of encephalitis, Newcasetle disease, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, pseudotuberculosis, and pigeon coccidiosis. Feral Pigeons are also a concern to farmers because they may carry and transmit many diseases, such as hog cholera, for livestock. In additional to the numerous infectious zoonotic diseases, Feral Pigeons also harbor and transmit a number of ectoparasites associated with the bird and its nests such as lice, mites, fleas, ticks, and bugs. Structural Damage: Feral Pigeons roost in large flocks thereby defacing equipment, statues and buildings with excretory droppings and messy nest building. They also cause structural damage to agricultural barns and silos. They foul areas where people may walk and/or work. Pigeon droppings and nests clog drain pipes, gutters, and air intakes, mar window sills, and render fire escapes hazardous, Nest building in electrical panels, junction boxes, and warehouse lights may cause short circuits and fires. Agricultural Damage: Feral Pigeons threaten the health of livestock in United States agriculture because they may be a reservoir for the potential transmission of many livestock diseases such as salmonella and hog cholera, especially around concentrated poultry and swine production facilities. They also do damage through the consumption and contamination of agricultural seed and grain products in the field, storage facilities, and wholesale and retail outlets. Environmental Damage: Because of their commensal relationship with humans and their potential for producing large flocks, Pigeons are a serious and constant public health and property damage problem unmatched by any other bird species. Economic Damage: Economic damage from the Feral Pigeons is difficult to assess when you consider the intangible costs of the impact of zoonotic diseases on the public health of humans, livestock, and wildlife. Additionally, it is also difficult to determine the real cost of architectural and structural damages from defacement, insulation loss and fire caused by the prolific nesting and feeding activities on and in anthropogenic structures and parks. Also there is a significant cost to American consumers and business from the consumption and contamination of seed and grain damaged by Feral Pigeons References: Coded Federal Registry, 50CFR17.Subpart D, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants Coded Federal Registry, 50CFR 20.43, Wildlife and Fisheries, Hunting and Migratory Bird Regulations Coded Federal Registry, 50 CFR 21.43 Subpart D, Control of Depredating Birds Fergus, C., 2000, Wildlife of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Mallis, A. 1997. Handbook of Pest Control: The behavior, Life History, and Control of Household Pests, Eighth Edition. Mallis Handbook and Technical Training Company. Sibley, D.A., 2001, The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, National Audubon Society, Alfred A Knopf, N.Y. |
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