Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)

Physical Characteristics

Size: A medium-sized, stocky bird, typically 32-37 cm long.

Coloration: Highly variable due to their history of domestication. The 'wild type' or classic colouration is a pale grey body with a darker head and belly, two distinct black bars on each wing, and a broad black band on the tail. The neck and upper chest have glossy, iridescent feathers that shimmer green, purple, and blue. However, feral populations exhibit a huge range of colours, including all-white, mottled (pied), reddish-brown, and almost black individuals.

Key Features: The combination of their stocky build, short legs, and iridescent neck feathers is characteristic. In an urban environment, any medium-sized, pigeon-like bird is almost certainly a Feral Pigeon. Their habit of flocking in large numbers in city squares and on buildings is a key behavioural identifier.

Disease Transmission

• Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcosis: Potentially fatal respiratory diseases caused by fungal spores found in dried pigeon droppings.
• Psittacosis (Ornithosis): A flu-like bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans.
• Salmonellosis and E. coli: Can be present in their droppings, posing a risk of food and water contamination.
• They can also host a variety of ectoparasites like bird mites, fleas, and ticks, which can infest buildings and bite humans.

Allergens and Respiratory Issues

Droppings, feather dust, and associated bird mites are potent allergens that can cause skin irritation and trigger severe respiratory conditions like asthma.

Contamination Risk

High. Droppings can contaminate food products, water tanks, and surfaces in food preparation areas, warehouses, and outdoor cafes.

Vulnerable Populations

• Immunocompromised individuals are at high risk from fungal diseases like cryptococcosis.
• People with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
• Children and the elderly.
• Workers involved in cleaning or maintaining buildings with pigeon infestations.

Symptoms of Exposure

• Histoplasmosis can cause fever, cough, and chest pain.
• Psittacosis symptoms resemble pneumonia.
• Allergic reactions include dermatitis, rhinitis, and asthma attacks.
• Bites from bird mites can cause intense itching and rashes.

Transmission Methods

• Inhalation of aerosolized fungal spores from dried droppings.
• Direct contact with droppings.
• Contamination of food or water.
• Migration of ectoparasites from nests into human living areas.

Risk Severity

High. The combination of direct disease transmission, allergens, and parasite vectors makes large pigeon populations a significant public health threat.

Treatment Costs

Professional Treatment

$1,000 - $20,000+ for large-scale commercial projects involving netting, spiking, and cleanup.

Prevention Costs

$500+ for installing deterrents on a residential property.

Diy Treatment

$100 - $300 for DIY spikes, scare devices, or small nets.

Property Damage

Structural Damage

Highly significant. The acidic nature of their feces corrodes and damages stone, concrete, metal, and paintwork. The weight of accumulated droppings can damage awnings and ceilings. Nesting material can block gutters and drains, causing extensive water damage.

Garden Damage

Can damage seedlings and vegetable patches.

Food Contamination

A major issue in grain silos and food processing plants, where droppings can contaminate huge amounts of product.

Equipment Damage

Droppings and nests can damage air conditioning units, solar panels, and other rooftop equipment.

Business Impact

Restaurant Issues

A major problem for outdoor dining, posing health risks and deterring customers.

Retail Impact

Unsightly droppings can damage a brand's image and deter foot traffic.

Reputation Damage

A building covered in pigeon droppings is perceived as dirty and poorly managed, causing significant reputational harm.

Operational Disruption

Requires costly cleanup operations, installation of deterrents, and can lead to temporary closures by health authorities.

Agricultural Impact

Crop Damage

Can cause damage to grain and some fruit crops.

Yield Loss

A major pest in grain storage facilities, consuming and contaminating large quantities of stored grain.

Beneficial Aspects

None.

Economic Loss

Causes hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and control costs annually in Australia, primarily through damage to urban infrastructure and contamination of goods.

Indirect Costs

Healthcare Costs

Costs of treating respiratory illnesses and allergies caused by exposure to droppings.

Cleanup Costs

Significant and ongoing costs for specialised biohazard cleanup of accumulated droppings, which must be treated as hazardous waste.

Replacement Costs

Cost of repairing or replacing damaged building facades, roofs, and equipment.

Preventive Maintenance

Ongoing costs for businesses to maintain bird deterrent systems.

Common Signs of Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Activity

• Large amounts of droppings in concentrated areas, particularly on ledges, under bridges, and around buildings
• Visual sightings of live birds, especially in flocks around buildings or food sources
• Nesting materials such as twigs, feathers, and debris in sheltered areas like roof voids, balconies, and building crevices
• Damage to property including stained surfaces from acidic droppings and blocked gutters from nesting materials
• Unpleasant odors from accumulated droppings and decaying nesting materials
• Noise disturbances, particularly early morning cooing, flapping, and scratching sounds

Areas to Check

• Building ledges, window sills, and architectural features that provide shelter
• Under eaves, balconies, and covered outdoor areas
• Around air conditioning units, solar panels, and rooftop equipment
• Bridge underpasses and similar structures
• Near food sources such as outdoor dining areas and waste disposal points

Sanitation Measures

• The most important sanitation measure is to eliminate food sources. Do not feed pigeons.
• Ensure all waste from commercial premises (especially restaurants and cafes) is kept in sealed bins.
• Encourage the public not to feed pigeons in public spaces through signage and local bylaws.
• Clean up food spills quickly.

Exclusion Methods

• This is the most effective long-term control strategy.
• Install bird netting over large areas like balconies, light wells, and building facades to completely deny access.
• Install bird spikes on ledges, pipes, signs, and beams to prevent them from landing.
• Use post-and-wire systems or electric shock track systems on ledges for a lower-visibility deterrent.
• Block all holes and openings into roof voids and other cavities with mesh, sheet metal, or mortar.

Landscaping Tips

• Prune trees to remove overhanging branches that may provide sheltered roosting spots or easy access to the roof.

Monitoring Strategies

• Regularly inspect buildings for signs of pigeon activity, especially on upper levels, ledges, and in sheltered corners.
• Monitor the effectiveness of deterrent systems and repair any damage promptly.

Environmental Modification

• Modify ledges to have a slope of 45 degrees or more, which makes it impossible for pigeons to get a foothold.
• Remove access to standing water sources where possible.

Professional Treatment Methods

Chemical Control

The use of avicides (bird poisons) is highly restricted, requires special permits, and is generally not used in public areas due to the risk to non-target species and the negative public perception. Narcotic agents are sometimes used to stupefy birds for easy capture, but this is a specialist job.

Biological Control

Not applicable.

Physical Control

This is the primary method of population reduction. Licensed professionals use trapping programs (with large, discreet cages) to capture large numbers of birds, which are then humanely euthanized. In some situations (e.g., large industrial sites), targeted shooting by a licensed and specialist pest controller may be used.

Integrated Approach

The only truly effective, long-term solution is an integrated approach. This involves an initial population reduction through trapping, followed by a thorough cleanup of droppings and nesting materials (as a biohazard service), and finally, the comprehensive installation of physical deterrents (netting, spikes) to prevent the birds from returning.

DIY Treatment Options

Natural Remedies

Ineffective.

Home Made Traps

Trapping by the public is not recommended and is subject to strict animal welfare laws.

Deterrent Methods

DIY deterrents like scare-eye balloons, reflective tape, or plastic owls have a very limited, short-term effect as pigeons quickly learn they are not a real threat.

Mechanical Control

For small residential situations, homeowners can install bird spikes or small sections of netting on their own balconies or ledges.

Treatment Effectiveness

Success Rate

Exclusion methods like netting and spiking are almost 100% effective when installed correctly. Trapping provides immediate population reduction but is not a long-term solution on its own. Deterrents have low success rates.

Timeframe

A trapping program can take weeks to months to significantly reduce a local flock. Exclusion provides immediate protection for the treated area.

Follow Up Required

Essential. Buildings with pigeon pressure require ongoing monitoring and maintenance of their deterrent systems. If exclusion is not complete, pigeons will find a way back.

Seasonal Considerations

It is best to clean and proof a building before the peak spring breeding season. However, control is needed whenever a problem is identified.

Application Techniques

• Professional installation of bird netting using high-tension cables and secure fixings.
• Correct spacing and adhesive use for bird spikes.
• Strategic placement and pre-baiting of traps for population reduction programs.
• Biohazard cleaning procedures for droppings, involving wetting down the material and using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Spring Activity

A major peak in breeding activity. Courtship, nest building, and egg-laying are at their highest levels.

Summer Activity

Breeding continues at a high rate. The population is swelled by juvenile birds from the spring hatches.

Autumn Activity

Breeding may continue, though it often slows slightly. Flocks remain large.

Winter Activity

Breeding activity is at its lowest, but does not stop entirely in Australia's mild urban climates. Pigeons will congregate in larger flocks around reliable food sources and for warmth.

Breeding Season

Year-round, with peaks in spring and summer.

Peak Activity Period

Pigeon problems are present year-round, but they are most noticeable and problematic during the warmer breeding seasons when noise and nesting activity increase.

Environmental Factors

Temperature Effects

Highly adaptable. Cold may reduce breeding rates but does not stop the birds from being a problem.

Humidity Effects

No major impact.

Photoperiod Effects

Increasing day length in spring is a strong trigger for a peak in breeding.

Weather Patterns

They will seek shelter from heavy rain and strong winds, which can concentrate them in problematic areas like covered balconies and warehouses.

Legal Considerations

Professional pest control operators must be licensed and comply with relevant state and local regulations regarding bird control treatments. Most bird species in Australia are not protected, allowing for standard pest control methods. However, it's recommended to verify specific regulations in your area before implementing control measures.