Bird Control

**Bird Control Advice And Information** Information and advice on the control of pest birds Feral pigeon, Columba livia var Biology: Descended from domesticated strains of the ...

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Feral pigeons, Columba livia var

Biology:

Pigeons are birds that are descended from domesticated strains of the rock dove, and are found throughout Britain, these birds are closely associated with humans and are common in urban environments. Feral pigeons nest in or on buildings or other structures, where they are usually found on ledges or in hollows often under eaves or on girders. The peak nesting time for these pest birds is between March and July, although they are capable of breeding throughout the year.

Public Health

Birds such as pigeons carry a range of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to humans if droppings contaminate foodstuffs. For this reason the presence of pigeons cannot be tolerated in and around food premises. Pigeons also carry mites that can cause skin disease, and dust from their feathers can cause respiratory problems.

Damage

The droppings of pigeons are not only unsightly but are acidic and can cause damage to buildings and machinery. Nesting materials, droppings and feathers can block gutters and air vents. Slippery droppings from birds can compromise safety on pavements and fire escapes.

Control

Pigeons and other species of birds can be effectively excluded from buildings by the use of purpose-made, durable netting, but this should be installed by professional pest controllers. A relatively cheap, and highly effective alternative treatment for pigeons is to use pigeon spikes, which make it impossible for birds such as pigeons to settle on eaves and ledges, thus removing the problem of fouling and nuisance.

Seagull, herring gull Larus argentatus

The Herring gull can be distinguished from other gulls by its large size and grey upperparts, which earn it the alternative names of 'silver back' and 'silvery gull'. During summer, adults have white heads, but in autumn they become streaked with brown. These birds have bright yellow bills with a red tip, and pink legs. The juvenile birds are greyish-brown; the grey upperparts do not develop until after the second winter. A number of vocalisations are produced, including the well-known raucous 'laughing' call.

The herring gull has a complex distribution throughout the northern hemisphere, and consists of a number of subspecies. The population occurring in Britain, Ireland, France and Iceland belong to the subspecies Larus argentatus argenteus. Seagulls breed around most of Britain's coasts; they are absent from some areas of eastern England, but are widespread inland during the winter. These birds breed in a range of habitats, including cliffs, beaches, small islands, inland sites and even buildings. They also exploit rubbish dumps, particularly during winter.

The herring gull is a supreme opportunist as far as birds go and scavenger, feeding on discarded fish offal, refuse, bird chicks, worms and other invertebrates. It breeds in colonies and the nest is usually an untidy heap of grass, seaweed and other vegetation. Two to six eggs, variable in colour and patterning, are laid after April; incubation, which is carried out largely by the female, takes between 25 and 27 days. Both parent gulls share paternal care of the downy chicks, which fledge after around 30 days.

Control

There is no instant solution to getting rid of seagulls effectively and action is best focused on prevention and stopping birds roosting. There are limited public health grounds for seagull control and surveys undertaken by various institutions have shown culling is mainly unsuccessful for controlling birds; shortly after a cull the numbers increase back to the original optimum number.

We would therefore recommend the use of deterrent devices such as seagull spikes for control of birds which prevent the birds building their nests i.e. bird-proofing measures. Work should be done outside the nesting season as interfering with their nests may be considered illegal, and could be dangerous.

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris

These birds are about 21.5cm long when grown. The plumage is blackish with a green and purple iridescence, especially in summer. Pale spots can be seen on these birds in winter that will fade away by spring. The juvenile birds are dull brown in summer but moult in autumn to adult plumage. Starlings are distinguishable from blackbirds by their shorter tails and triangular shape of wings in flight. These birds are recognised for their chattering mimicking song often sounds like several birds; starlings can imitate other species. Damage results from both the birds feeding and roosting habits, and consists mainly of fouling and food removal. In rural roosts, which are usually in dense thickets, the combined action of large quantities of guano from birds and the weight of birds on branches can eventually kill the trees. In cities, droppings from the birds foul pavements, disfigure buildings and monuments and erode stonework. Starlings occasionally take grain from winter cereal stores, and at intensive animal husbandry units these birds may take a considerable proportion of animal feed. In addition to these problems, there is the possibility that starlings may act as vectors of disease.

Control

We recommend deterrent strategies for these smaller nuisance birds. New on the market, try stainless steel pigeon, starling and sparrow spikes.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

The House Sparrow is primarily a grain eater, feeding on ripening grain in fields, however, in urban situations these birds have learned to exploit food stores, especially of soft groceries such as cakes, where they will feed directly or after penetrating thin packaging. As a result of these feeding habits, sparrows can cause fouling of foodstuffs, with associated breakdown of hygiene. In gardens, these birds may peck at the soft spring growth of vegetables, and also disbud fruit trees.

Control

We recommend deterrent strategies for these smaller nuisance birds. New on the market, try stainless steel pigeon, starling and sparrow spikes.

Important:

The UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds. It is an offence to kill or injure any birds or their nests or eggs unless acting under a licence and only in compliance with the conditions of that licence. Noise from birds, that they leave droppings or the fact that they open rubbish bags are not reasons under the Act and, therefore, killing or injuring birds for these reasons is an offence and offenders can be prosecuted. More detailed information on this is available expert advice on current legislation from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) 0207 904 6000 or on their web pages at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/gen-licence.htm