Feral Pigeons in Chester

Some information and advice

The control of pigeons is a very emotive subject. Many people see them as part of the natural wildlife of the city centre. Others see them as a pest and would like to see them all removed from our streets and parks.

Over recent years there has been a marked increase in the numbers of Feral (wild) Pigeons. Feral Pigeons have thrived in our cities by adapting to life, learning to roost and breed in the seemingly inhospitable environment provided by tall buildings, and to survive on the food available.

Some parts of Chester now have particular problems due to the large number of pigeons that congregate there. The Council receives many complaints from both members of the public and local businesses about pigeons and is concerned about the effects that these large number of birds are having in the areas affected.

The bird is about 33cm in length and weighs between 280 - 560g, averaging at about 350g. Its plumage can vary considerably, from a close resemblance to that of the original rock-dove (with blue-grey plumage, double black wing bars and a white rump) through various "blues", "reds" and chequered types, to almost pure black. There are no visible differences between the sexes. They naturally live in cliff habitats where they lead a healthy existence, but in the urban environment they become unhealthy.

Feral pigeons are sometimes called "the flying rat" - they have adapted to living and causing a nuisance in the city centre.

Feral pigeons can cause serious damage and spoil the appearances of buildings. The smell and mess they leave can cause a nuisance.

 

By following two simple rules you will help reduce the problem:

• Don't provide food for pigeons
• Dispose of food waste thoughtfully

Deliberate feeding of pigeons by a small group of people has been an important cause of the increase in the pigeon population in Chester. There are a number of reasons why this increase is good neither for the pigeons nor the people of Chester.

The Council wants to see pigeon numbers reduced to a lower, more realistic level, which is not dependent on food from people.

Action to control the food supply is essential if we are to reduce the number of pigeons. The general public can help by disposing of unwanted food and food containers responsibly and not feeding the pigeons. Businesses can help by disposing carefully of their leftover food.

We believe that most people who feed pigeons will want to stop once they realise the problems it creates.

We therefore ask: please don't feed pigeons, apart from at the Kaleyards:

Chester City Council has constructed a pigeon coop & feeding area at the Kaleyards, where people who wish to feed pigeons can do so.  The coop is designed so that pigeon eggs can be removed.

The Kaleyards pigeon coop is situated in the car park and can be accessed via Frodsham Street, or via the Kaleyards gate at the end of Abbey Street.

Feeding pigeons affects their health

People who feed pigeons do not help to keep pigeons healthy. The food pigeons get from people may lack essential nutrients, which pigeons require for overall good health. The risk of injury to pigeons attracted to the city by pigeon feeding is also higher. For instance, many pigeons suffer missing and deformed feet after catching them in man-made structures.

Instead of breeding once a year, pigeons now breed almost all year round because of the expanded food supply. The feral pigeon is capable of breeding throughout the year, nests may be found in any month, however the peak occurs between March and July. Usually, two white eggs are laid on consecutive days. Incubation lasts about 18 days with fledging taking place about 4 ½ weeks later.

A new clutch can be laid when the first young are 20 days old. Therefore up to nine broods may be produced per year by just one female pigeon. Research has shown that this can place considerable pressure on the limited breeding sites making many of them unhealthy, crowded places subject breeding pigeons to considerable physical stress. Mites and other parasites in overcrowded breeding sites can spread disease easily among young pigeons, and fledglings are at an increased risk of attack by mice and rats attracted to permanent breeding sites.

Please don't feed the pigeons!

• It affects their health
• It attracts vermin and is a risk to human health
• It damages buildings
• It makes pigeons dependent on people
• It deprives other birds of food

Feeding pigeons makes them dependent on people

Pigeon feeding is harmful because it makes pigeons dependent on people. If they were less dependent they would arguably be less susceptible to disease and other health risks. Pigeons are wild birds and are capable of fending for themselves.

Feeding pigeons affects other birds

Feeding feral pigeons can deprive other birds of food and might scare them from your garden. Smaller birds such as thrushes and finches are often frightened away when numbers of much larger pigeons arrive. Feral pigeons can also carry viruses that can be spread to other birds causing death.

Feeding pigeons attracts pests

People who feed pigeons often end up feeding more than they bargained for. On occasions when food is plentiful, pigeons may not always eat everything left out for them. The remaining food goes bad and may attract rats and mice, which can spread disease to humans.

Feeding pigeons puts human health at risk

Humans are also at risk from unhealthy pigeons. Pigeons can carry a number of potentially infectious diseases such as salmonella, tuberculosis and ornithosis (a mild form of psittacosis - pneumonia-like symptoms).

They are also a source of allergens, which can cause respiratory ailments like pigeon fancier's lung and allergic skin reaction. There is potential for these illnesses to be spread to people through contact with pigeon droppings, dandruff and feathers; pigeon parasites; or where dead infected pigeons get into food or water sources.

The presence of pigeons, or their droppings (particularly when wet), can also contribute to accidents.

Dispose of food waste thoughtfully and let pigeons feed the natural way.

Don't provide homes for feral pigeons

Please make sure your building is proofed against pigeons.

Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly; their acid content can eat into soft stone and cause long-term damage. The nest droppings, and feathers also block gutters and rainwater pipes causing water damage.

How to pigeon proof your building

Pigeons enter buildings to get food, to build nests or simply to roost and shelter. The birds gain access by any opening that is big enough. Total proofing against all birds can only be guaranteed by the closure of all openings bigger than 20mm in diameter.

Pigeon proofing includes simple tasks like sealing gaps under eaves and replacing missing roof tiles (please remember to remove pigeons prior to proofing works).

Pigeons can be deterred from using common perching and roosting sites such as window ledges and roofs by fitting stainless steel wires suspended and sprung at the correct height to prevent the birds from landing.

Other commonly-available deterrents to the feral pigeon include barrier gel, spikes and bird repellent gel.