Pigeon Situations & Solutions

Pigeons usually cause few problems for people, but sometimes their droppings and their habit of nesting in places such as air vents can become a problem. Before deciding on the best way to exclude pigeons from an area, you should first try to figure out what’s attracting them: is there a source of food, such as a dumpster, bird feeder, or people feeding them?

Many stores sell plastic owls, hawks, and other objects that are made to scare away pigeons. Unfortunately, these don’t work; pigeons become comfortable with nonmoving objects very quickly. The following are some better solutions for pigeon situations.

Pigeons Nesting in Undesirable Locations

Pigeons will readily nest on any flat sheltered surface. To discourage nesting, alter these surfaces by adding a slant or blocking them with netting. Learn more about discouraging nesting on buildings

Pigeons Trapped Indoors

When a lone bird is trapped indoors, shut out as much light as possible. Close all exits except for the one through which you wish the bird to leave. If it’s practical, ask everyone leave the area for a while to give the bird a chance to calm down and find the exit. Alternately, slowly but firmly urge the bird toward the exit.

Pigeons at Bird Feeders

Pigeons are ground feeders by preference. To keep pigeons out of the inevitable spill zone around a feeder, you can put a brush pile at the feeder’s base—pigeons don't like feeding in dense vegetation. Sometimes they may perch on pole and window feeders. You can discourage this by purchasing feeders whose seed openings close when any creature larger than a songbird perches on them. Also, avoid using mixed seed, since the corn in these mixtures is a favorite of pigeons.

Lost Racing Pigeons

Racing pigeons, also called racing homers, are special pigeons raised for the sport of racing. These birds are trained to fly at high speeds for races that can be anywhere from 100 to 600 miles long.

During these races, dozens of birds may become lost due to inexperience or adverse weather conditions. They eventually land, and are exhausted and dehydrated. You can recognize these pigeons by their ankle bands. If you find one, look at the band: it will usually have an inscription starting with “AU” or “IF.” AU stands for the American Racing Pigeon Union and IF stands for International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers.  Their web sites will help you reunite a bird with its owner.

Baby Pigeons Out of the Nest

Pigeon parents aren’t adept at finding and caring for young that have fallen from the nest. Because young pigeons require a special secretion—"pigeon's milk"— for early growth, it’s nearly impossible for people to rear orphan pigeons. If you find a displaced baby pigeon, there are two potential solutions:

  • Locate the nest, usually on a nearby ledge, and return the pigeon.
  • Leave the bird to its natural fate. Nestling birds tend to have a high mortality rate, so you need not worry that this response is callous or cruel.

Pigeons and Disease

Pigeon droppings can contain molds and bacteria that cause pneumonia-like diseases called histoplasmosis and ornithosis (psittacosis). These disease agents are also present in the soil and in other animal droppings.

Fortunately, contracting a pigeon-associated illness is unlikely, and there has never been a major outbreak of any bird-associated disease in Massachusetts. Those most at risk are people who have extensive contact with birds or their droppings, such as poultry farmers and poultry-processing workers, bird breeders, pet shop owners, and those involved in cleaning areas contaminated with accumulated bird droppings.

Here are some tips for preventing illnesses:

  • Wash your hands carefully after handling either birds or their droppings.
  • Discourage birds of any kind from roosting near ventilation systems and air conditioners. These can aerosolize the stool and contaminate the air.
  • Because proper decontamination and protective equipment are essential for cleaning up accumulated droppings, you should enlist professional help. For advice, consult your local public health department.

Pigeons and the Law

As a non-native species in the United States, pigeons aren’t protected by federal laws. Learn more about wildlife and the law