Scientific Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Columbiformes, Columbidae;
Columba; C. Livia Photo by Marie .mclt on Pexels.com
Have you ever heard someone call pigeons; “rats with wings”?
Truth is, Pigeon is a French word that derives from the Latin pipio, for a “peeping” chick.
Only a few birds have been associated with humans so closely as the common city pigeon. It has been domesticated and taken around the world, raised for food, trained for homing, racing, and carrying messages, and used in research. Originally native from Europe to North Africa and India, it now lives in a wild or semi-wild condition in cities all over the world. They have extraordinary navigation capabilities and fantastic foraging instincts.
Why is this important? The more you know about Pigeons, the better you will be at deterring them when necessary!
Bird Size & Markings: An adult pigeon is about 14” long, stands 12” high and has a 24” wingspan. While wild pigeons weigh about 14 ounces, overfed domestic pigeons can exceed 18 ounces. Wild rock doves are pale grey with 2 black bars on each wing. Markings for domestic (interbred) pigeons vary widely in both colors and patterns. Habitat: Pigeons find building ledges to be a substitute for naturally occurring cliffs ledges. Pigeons have adapted well to urban life, and are abundant in towns and cities throughout the world. They inhabit every continent except Antarctica. View our Pigeon Facts Sheet (PDF)
Nesting/Dens: Pigeons pair for life and can hatch broods six times a year. A brood can fledge in just 30 days. While they can live in solitary pairs, pigeons prefer to exist in flocks from 10 to 500 birds. Pigeons can and will build nests on any flat surface that
will hold the loosely bundled sticks and debris that comprises their nests.
Food: In the wild, pigeons eat seeds, berries, fruits, etc. City pigeons eat whatever is made available to them by humans. This includes everything from garbage in restaurant dumpsters to popcorn thrown to them in the park.
Impact on Human Health: More than 60 diseases have been identified in bird droppings. Each pigeon contributes to the problem by depositing up to 25 pounds of droppings per year. By returning to the same roosts, pigeons create conditions ideal for the growth of unwanted organisms, disease, and parasites. Learn more about bird dung diseases. (PDF)
Impact on Architecture: Bird droppings are hazardous to your property. Left untouched, pigeon droppings can ruin all types of building material. It corrodes steel, rots wood, deteriorates concrete. Each bird can generate 25 pounds of waste; a large flock can quickly overload signs, roofs, awnings, canopies, and bridges.
Culinary: Several species of pigeons and doves are used as food; however, all types are edible. Domesticated or hunted pigeons have been used as the source of food since the times of the Ancient Middle East, Ancient Rome, and Medieval Europe. Doves are considered kosher and are a familiar meat within Jewish, Arab, and French cuisines. It is also known in Asian cuisines, such as Chinese and Indonesian.
Composite or Plastic Pigeon Spikes.
Learn more about Nixalite Bird Spikes
Learn more about Bird Exclusion Netting
Learn more about Fogging equipment
NOTE: It is your responsibility to check local, state and federal regulations regarding the control of bird and/or animal species. Simply purchasing the best control does not guarantee success. Best results come from a thorough knowledge of both the species and the product or method you employ. If you have any questions, please contact Nixalite of America Inc and speak with a bird control product specialist.
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