Key Features of Pigeons
The Feral Pigeon is particularly well suited to living in an urban environment and is descended directly from the rock dove. Because the Feral Pigeon has developed a strong dependency on man for food, it has become a serious pest.
Description
These pest birds are approximately 33cm long and on average weigh 330g. The appearance of Feral Pigeons can be quite different from bird to bird as they have a wide variation in the colour of their plumage.
Breeding
Feral Pigeons use all manner of new and old buildings containing a large number ledges, girders and gaps as nesting sites. It is not uncommon to find large numbers of nests inside the lofts of houses and commercial premises.
The main breeding period for Feral Pigeons runs from March to July, although if granted favourable conditions the birds will breed throughout the entire year. Two white eggs will be laid and then incubated by both sexes for a period of between 17 and 19 days. Somewhere between 4 and 7 broods may be reared in a year and once reared, young birds will become independent at between 30 to 37 days.
Feeding
Because many Feral Pigeons populate town centres, they tend to be fed on a regular basis by members of the public. They will feed in flocks and rely on food scraps and spillage in town centres and at food premises. Each Feral Pigeon will consume about 80g per day.
Social Structure
Flocks of Feral Pigeons are particularly territorial and will occupy a distinct territory which will includes nesting, roosting and feeding sites. The size of the flock will usually be in balance with the availability of food and breeding sites within the territory.
There is a distinct order within each flock of Feral Pigeons. The dominant birds will feed first with lower ranking birds under pressure to find alternative food and harbourage. If dominant birds are removed from the flock, the levels of competition are reduced and the the gap that is left behind creates a more attractive proposition to lower ranking birds from adjacent flocks where competition is more intense.
Alternative Control
There are several different solutions available to effective control feral pigeon populations and prevent problem flocks. These solutions include the installation of point prevention, net prevention or spring wire system as well as strategic population management.
