Pigeons
Feral Pigeon (Columbia livia)
Most Feral pigeons are blue-grey with a white rump although there are many colour variations. They have iridescent feathers on head and neck and two broad black bars across each wing and a broad dark band across the end of the tail.
Why Control
Feral pigeons can be very damaging to buildings and their occupants. Their fouling is very corrosive and unsightly. It harbours and sustains infestations of flying and biting insects and mites and poses a serious health risk, in particular respiratory and intestinal infections caused by bacteria and fungal spore’s. Bird fouling is also very slippery when wet posing a potential hazard on footpaths steps etc.
Wood Pigeon (Columba Palumbus)
Wood pigeons are large and portly grey birds, with a white band across the wings, white patch at the side of the neck and a dark band on the tail. They have a pinkish brown neck and upper breast.
Why Control
Like the Feral pigeon the fouling of the Wood Pigeon is harmful to humans and although less likely to cause significant damage to buildings can cause considerable problems below trees in parks and gardens etc both from risk of infection and as a potential slip hazard.
Harris Hawks' can be used to alter the behavioural patterns of feral pigeons
