Portsmouth Pigeons: To Feed Or Not To Feed?

 

Most people have good intentions. I love people who care about other humans and about animals. However, like so many things, learning exactly “how” to care for something is seldom simple. Such is the case concerning a writer for the Scioto County Daily News.

Cyn Mackley wrote a piece about Portsmouth Ohio City Council considering a new law that would make it illegal to feed stray animals … and feral pigeons. The commitment to animal conservation involves the act of protecting ecosystems and environments to protect the animals that live there – in this case, those animals include pigeons and humans.

Mackley reported:

“According to a memo from Sutherland’s office (Portsmouth City Manager Sam Sutherland), there have been complaints associated with the downtown Esplanade and they hope a ban on feeding pigeons will cut down on complaints. Sutherland’s office, there have been complaints associated with the downtown Esplanade and they hope a ban on feeding pigeons will cut down on complaints.”

“Council will meet with Portsmouth City Manager Sam Sutherland on Monday to discuss the proposal. Portsmouth has long struggled with a stray animal problem.”

Mackley seemed critical of the need to stop feeding strays and pigeons. Her article continued …

“Portsmouth City Council seems to feel that not feeding strays will reduce the problem, though many animal lovers might argue that it will simply lead to already abandoned animals starving to death and the focus should be on irresponsible owners.

“It’s not clear if people would be fined if a pigeon showed up at their bird feeder and dined on the seeds intended for cardinals, blue jays, and sparrows …

“It appears other wild birds are still eligible for feeding without fear of penalty. Just don’t let a ne’re do well pigeon steal their food.”

(Cyn Mackley. “Portsmouth Wants to Ban Feeding Stray Animals and Pigeons.” Scioto County Daily News. November 04, 2021.)

Now, I enjoy birds myself. Feeding them and watching them grace our environment shows our interest in native wildlife and our concern for nature's creatures. However, considering pigeons, I believe we should examine our role in their existence as it relates both to our health and to the health of the species. Damn, the seemingly simplest things can get so complicated, can't they?

What should we know of a potential downtown pigeon problem? Perhaps, quite a bit. Please, allow me explain. 

Laws and Regulations

First of all, In Ohio, English sparrows, pigeons, and starlings are considered nuisances and there are no closed seasons. Section 1533.07 “Protection Afforded Nongame Birds” in the Ohio Revised Code effective April 6, 2007 reads …

“European starlings, English sparrows, and common pigeons, other than homing pigeons, may be killed at any time and their nests or eggs may be destroyed at any time. Blackbirds may be killed at any time when doing damage to grain or other property or when they become a nuisance.

“Each bird or any part thereof taken or had in possession contrary to this section constitutes a separate offense.”

Back in 2000, it was estimated, each year in the United States, pigeons cause approximately 1.1 billion dollars in environmental and infrastructural damage. For example, pigeons residing in cities that are surrounded by agriculture often steal grain from nearby silos.

(D. Pimentel, L. Lach, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison. “Environmental and economic costs of nonindigenous species in the United States.” Bioscience. 2000;50:53-65.)

Also, Ohio Administrative Code “Rule 1501:46-3-33 | Feeding of wildlife” reads …

“Without the written approval of the area manager no person shall intentionally feed any wild or domestic waterfowl, wild animal, or other wild bird, except in an area where signs are posted indicating that wildlife may be fed or when permitted as part of a park-sponsored nature program.”

Now, just being a nuisance is not necessarily against the law. (Just ask my wife, who certainly would have had me arrested many times if that were the case.) But, when proper controls are enforced, public safety certainly increases and other animals – believe it or not – usually benefit.

Scientists report that pigeons are a vector of several diseases that can be a hazard to domestic fowl and native species within cities. In the 1980s, a large outbreak of paramyxovirus started in Italy and spread throughout Europe. The outbreak in Great Britain in 1984 had devastating economic costs due to pigeons transmitting the disease to chickens.

(D.J .Alexander and G. Parsons. “Pathogenicity for chickens of avian pparamyxovirus type 1 isolates obtained from pigeons in Great Britain during 1983-85.” Avian Pathology. 1985;15:487-493.)

Robert A. Pierce II, Extension Fisheries and Wildlife Specialist in Missouri says, Today, the pigeon is probably the most serious bird pest associated with human habitations. 

How To Solve “A Pigeon Problem”

The Humane Society of the United States recommends three steps to humanely solve a pigeon problem. These steps are the following: 

(1) Stop feeding the pigeons (intentionally or not)

Most conflicts with pigeons can be tied at one point or another to feeding, intentionally or otherwise.

Pigeons get fed plenty of handouts and garbage, but there are also well-intentioned pigeon lovers who regularly feed the birds. This does the pigeons more harm than good as the pigeons begin to gather in large numbers, often leading to inhumane and ineffective attempts to reduce their numbers.

When such troubles arise, the best thing for the birds is to reduce feeding gradually over several weeks. The flock will gradually disperse until the remaining number of birds matches what the area can naturally support.

Even when not feeding on purpose, we humans are messy, leaving leftovers and dropped crumbs everywhere. Pigeons hang around town squares, public parks, and other trafficked areas to help themselves to what we leave behind, especially when convenient roosting and nesting sites are nearby. To discourage pigeons from gathering, food attractants need to be cleaned up regularly.

In suburban neighborhoods, too, homeowners may mistakenly feed pigeons or they may be providing food for pigeons inadvertently when feeding their backyard birds by tossing seed on the ground, rather than putting it in birdfeeders.

To discourage pigeons visiting your yard, change the type, amount, and timing of feeding. If most of the pigeons fail to move elsewhere, you’ll need to stop feeding all birds for a couple weeks. (Don't worry; the birds won't starve.) When you resume feeding, only put out seed in birdfeeders and keep the ground below them cleaned up. 

(2) Prevent roosting and nesting

Pigeons look for flat surfaces for roosting and nesting. Encourage them to do these things elsewhere by making flat surfaces unavailable to them. With the correct application of the right product, roosting structures can be rendered virtually pigeon-free.

There are a variety of devices that can be used to change flat nesting spots into inaccessible spaces and prevent pigeons from roosting in areas where they’re not wanted. We suggest the following, all of which can be ordered from birdbarrier.com or 800-NO-BIRDS.com:

(3) Limit flock size with pigeon birth control

As year-round nesters, a pair of pigeons can raise a dozen or more young each year. If pigeons have plenty of food and space, their numbers can quickly increase. Fortunately, a bird contraceptive is available that limits growth of pigeon flocks.

Ovocontrol bird food is "birth control" for pigeons. Known as OvoControl, pigeon contraception comes in the form of a kibble-type food, which causes birds who eat it regularly to lay eggs that fail to develop. In March 2010, OvoControl received landmark general-use approval by the Environmental Protection Agency. Visit ovocontrol.com to learn more about the product and how you can implement an OvoControl program.

Combined with exclusion and other humane measures to discourage roosting and nesting, OvoControl effectively reduces hatching rates in pigeons, thereby limiting flock sizes and diminishing problems associated with large numbers of pigeons.

(“What to do about pigeons.” The Humane Society of the United States. 2021.)

Some sources also warn also warn that food feeds more rats than it does pigeons.
Rats sustain themselves through food scraps, and burrow into parks where they find a steady supply.

(“4 reasons you shouldn’t be feeding the pigeons.” Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy. Providence, Rhode Island.)

Potential Property and Health Hazards

Pigeon droppings dirty public spaces and do costly damage to buildings. Feces and nesting materials block drains.

An individual pigeon can excrete up to 12 kg of excrement a year. Due to their human-modified diet, feral pigeons typically have more acidic excreta compared to wild rock pigeons. The compounding effects of high pigeon abundance, large amounts of excreta, and high levels of acidity can have devastating results for building structures. The acidity alone can cause structural and esthetic damage over time. The costs to clean and repair structural damage caused by pigeons can be straining on family and commercial businesses.

(J. Kösters, E. Kaleta, G. Monreal, O. Siegmann. “Das Problem der Stadttauben.” Deutsches Tierärzteblatt. 1991;4:272-276

Pigeons can also transmit a number of life-threatening diseases, especially to the elderly and immune-deficient. These diseases include Histoplasmosis, Pigeon Ornithosis, Salmonella, Cryptococcosis, Toxoplasmosis, and Encephalitis. Pigeons can host numerous ectoparasites as well; such as ticks, flies, fleas, mites and biting lice which also carry disease.

Research in The Journal of Infection confirms:

“The most commonly transmitted pathogens continue to be Chlamydophila psittaci and Cryptococcus neoformans. Although feral pigeons pose sporadic health risks to humans, the risk is very low, even for humans involved in occupations that bring them into close contact with nesting sites. In sharp contrast, the immunocompromised patient may have a nearly 1000-fold greater risk of acquiring mycotic disease from feral pigeons and their excreta than does the general population.”

(D Haag-Wackernagel and H Moch. “Health hazards posed by feral pigeons.” J Infect

2004 May;48.)

Another study found …

“Culling of pigeons by shooting or poisoning is both unethical and ineffective as the place of the killed birds in the population is quickly filled by new juveniles or immigrating birds from neighboring areas. Pigeon-deterring systems, such as nets and plastic or metal spikes applied to buildings and monuments will prevent their fouling, and the administration of contraceptive drugs may allow size regulation of the pigeon populations.

“Nevertheless, the measure that will ultimately lead to permanent reduction and will establish healthy sustainable populations is the restriction of indiscriminate feeding by pigeon lovers. The erection of dovecotes and artificial breeding facilities should be considered for providing shelter and a balanced diet to the birds, as well as a chance of interaction for pigeon lovers in a hygienically controlled environment.”

(Magnino S, Haag-Wackernagel D, Geigenfeind I, Helmecke S, Dovc A, Prukner-Radovcić E, Residbegović E, Ilieski V, Laroucau K, Donati M, Martinov S, Kaleta EF. “Chlamydial infections in feral pigeons in Europe: Review of data and focus on public health implications.” Vet Microbiol. 2009 Mar 16;135.)

Case Studies

A particularly large outbreak of histoplasmosis occurred in 2001 in Indiana, when 523 high school students became ill after their school’s courtyard containing bird droppings was tilled by a maintenance worker. an investigation of the school was initiated to identify recent activities that could have contributed to this outbreak. Preliminary investigation revealed rototilling activities earlier in November in a school courtyard

known to be a bird roosting site for many years. The rototilling of the soil in the courtyard was identified as a potential source of infection.

(Shadi Chamany, MD, MPH, Sara A. Mirza, MPH, John W. Fleming, MD, PhD, et al. “A Large Histoplasmosis Outbreak Among High School Students in Indiana, 2001.” Pediatr Infect Dis J 2004;23: 909 –914.)

In another incident, a group of students in Delaware, Ohio, got the antipollution spirit of Earth Day in April, 1970. They vigorously raked leaves and swept up dirt and debris that had accumulated for 20 years in an old bird roost that had since become their junior high school courtyard.

Two weeks later, officials closed the Willis Intermediate School because 354, or 40 per cent, of the sixth through eighth grade students and 27 per cent of their teachers went to hospitals or stayed home with complaints such as coughing, headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, chest pains and poor appetites.

At first, physicians did not know the cause of the illness that within three days had caused the Willis school absentee rate to quadruple from its usual level. Patients and doctors labeled it “Willis flu” because its symptoms end sudden onset resembled influenza. Then, through studies done in the laboratory, scientists documented that histoplasma capsulatum was present in the Willis school courtyard soil. The fungus grows as a mold in the soil.

Histoplasmosis is not spread from man to man but is acquired by inhaling the fungal spores in airborn dust. Soil contaminated by bird or animal droppings can contain thousands of histoplasma spores spread by any of a number of animals.

(A.L. Brodsky, MB Gregg et al. “Outbreak of histoplasmosis associated with the 1970 Earth Day activities.” Am J Med. 1973;54.)

Conclusion

In Medina, Ohio, City Council approved an ordinance on March 22, 2021, prohibiting residents from feeding wild animals under certain circumstances.

The ordinance states that that no one should purposely or knowingly provide food to feral cats, stray dogs, deer, geese, ducks, raccoons or other wild animals in areas where this can cause damage or create a nuisance.

Council Representative-at-Large Bill Lamb said …

“It will be effective, it can be enforced and it is practical, but it still allows people to have the freedom to feed birds and do that without concern of being accused of something,” he said.

Law Director Gregory Huber noted: “This ordinance really doesn’t prohibit feeding animals. It only prohibits feeding animals to the extent that it starts to cause other people property damage or causes nuisance. 

And, if you think Portsmouth has pigeon concerns, just consider Venice, Italy.

It is said that nothing says "I've been to Venice" better than a photo snapped with pigeons perched on arms, shoulders, head, breast. Multiply that by, perhaps, a million times a year.

However, city officials long worried about the dangers of pigeons, including human health concerns, damage to historic landmarks, and even increased trash from tourists. There were an estimated 130,000 pigeons in the city center about 40 times the number that might be acceptable.

"In Venice we have a difficult problem, because the birds find food everywhere, and there are millions of tourists who want to take pictures with them," said Mario Scattolin, the top environmental official for the city of 800,000. "We're a small city with a huge influx of tourists."

More tourists equals more birdseed sold and more garbage produced. That equals more pigeons and more damage to the historic buildings in the square, including the delicate mosaics on the façade of St. Mark's Basilica.

"They peck at the most exposed parts of the marble," as well as the stucco that restorers use in their work, said Renata Codello, the state art official charged with preserving the square. She flipped through a series of photographs of pockmarked statuary.

"I have nothing against pigeons," Codello insisted, though she said the birds cause "immense damage." This costs taxpayers from €16 to €23 a pigeon a year in cleanup costs (2007), according to a report by the Italian economic research institute Nomisma.

In the end, only one strategy has ever really worked to keep the pigeon population down in Venice. "Until the 1950s they used to eat them. I'm told they're very tasty," Lafisca said. But he would not advocate eating pigeon meat today because the birds are too sickly and small. Nor would he allow his son to pose for photos with pigeons on his head.

Venice rounded up pigeons regularly and killed the sick ones, but that didn't seem to stem their numbers. Other attempts have included introducing contraceptives to their food supply and birds that eat their eggs.

The animal rights group LAV says the most effective method is to feed them less. But that would mean shutting down the corn vendors at St. Mark's. "They're a powerful lobby," said Massimo Vitturi, an LAV spokesman.

But the city acted (in part to preserve their UNESCO city status). A ban on feeding was passed in 2008: Nineteen pigeon-feed sellers on St. Mark's Square immediately went out of business. They had long been granted licenses to sell packages of dried corn to tourists wanting snapshots of themselves covered with the birds – ending a tradition. Fines for ignoring the ban start at 50 euros ($78), the mayor's office said.

The ban is still in effect, and offending can now land you will a bill for anything up to £622 (€700) – roughly the cost of a six night stay in one of the city’s best value hotels . Bur, the report is that he ‘holy pigeons’ at the St Mark’s Square in this Italian city are not ready to migrate. Today, the pigeons have formed colonies throughout the city.

An Earth Trekkers article updated October 7, 2021 stated: “St. Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice. From here you can easily visit most of the other main sites. The best things to do here? Take a 360° panorama photo, feed (or run through) the pigeons, and go people watching.”

(Julie. “9 Must-Have Experiences in Venice, Italy.” Earth Trekkers. October 07, 2021.)

 

So, Cyn, go figure. These “ne’re do well pigeons” can get out of control and cause big problems. We like to think that feeding the birds is helping preserve the species, but it's not that simple. A whole host of outcomes may occur when we succumb to our emotional reactions to feed wild animals. Experts say doing so can have dangerous consequences for both animals and humans.

Feeding sites bring many different kinds of animals into the same small area, which can turn into a hotbed for disease transmission and parasites, says Jeannine Fleegle, a wildlife biologist for the Pennsylvania State Game Commission.

For instance, scientists suspect a fatal disease affecting deer known as Chronic Wasting Disease is spread by exposure to urine, saliva, and feces – all of which get mixed together when animals congregate at feeders.

“Feed used to attract deer will draw turkeys, squirrels, racoons, opossums, rodents, skunks, and foxes, directly or indirectly,” says Fleegle. “And just as feed sites increase risk of disease exposure and transmission in deer and elk, these sites will do the same for these species.”

(Jason Bittel. “Why you shouldn't feed wild animals (except maybe birds).” National Geographic. July 05, 2019.)

Even birds can be negatively affected. Although birdfeeders can be a boon for biodiversity, just like any other kind of food station, birdfeeders can be culprits in spreading of disease, says Kate Plummer, a research ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology. Especially if they aren’t kept clean.

(Jason Bittel. “Why you shouldn't feed wild animals (except maybe birds).” National Geographic. July 05, 2019.)

In fact, why humans feel a compulsion to feed animals is a matter of speculation. Naomi Sykes, an archaeologist at the University of Exeter, sees much of the human habit of feeding animals in the light of domestication, which she says happened as much through the process of humans feeding animals as it did through catching and corralling them to eat.

I don't believe many folks are consuming pigeons these days although I do remember one older gentleman in North Carolina in the 70s pointing to some bird traps nearby and telling me that pigeons were “mighty good eating.” After all, squab are considered a great delicacy in some parts of the world, and they are widely used as game bird meat.

Science journalist and adjunct professor Eleanor Cummins writes …

“While it’s true that city pigeons shouldn’t be eaten, rumors that they are a particularly diseased bird are just that—rumors. Pigeons are no more likely to carry avian disease than any other bird, but we have made these feral birds moderately dangerous by feeding them our trash. Unlike farm breeds, which are carefully controlled and fed a special diet, city pigeons clean up our forgotten pizza crusts… and likely ingest rodenticide, battery acid, and lead along the way.” Americans used to eat pigeon all the time—and it could be making a comeback.”

(Eleanor Cummins. “It’s reviled by city slickers, but revered by chefs.” Popular Science. February 16, 2018.)

So, there's another possible solution for pigeon control. If the pigeon returns to American tables as a tasty bird of popular consumption, our “pigeon problems” just could be over. But, that's a matter for another blog entry. In the meantime, we might be better off not feeding Columba livia domestica – the feral pigeons. What do you think, Cyn?