Pigeon Facts

The following information is provided by www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org

Latin Name: Columba livia var (‘dove’ or ‘bird of leaden or blue-grey colour’).

Common Names: Pigeon, dove, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock pigeon, feral pigeon.

Derivation: The word ‘pigeon’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pipio’, meaning ‘young cheeping bird’. The word ‘dove’ is of Norse origin and first appeared in the 14th century as ‘dova’ or ‘douve’.

Family: Columbidae (includes 315 different species)

Subspecies: C. l. livia, C. l. atlantis, C. l. canariensis, C. l. gymnocyclus, C. l. targia, C. l. nigricans, C. l. dakhlae, C. l. schimperi, C. l. intermedia, C. l. palaestinae, C. l. gaddi, C. l. neglecta

Varieties: 350 recorded varieties.

Most Common: Feral Pigeon - 10-15 million in Europe.

Habitat: The wild pigeon is found in coastal areas and the feral pigeon is found almost exclusively in areas of human habitation.

Distribution: Worldwide except Sahara Desert, Antarctica and the high Arctic. European population estimated at between 17 and 28 million birds.

Dave B

Anti Roosting Spikes versus Bird Netting

'The Pigeon Spike is a pure anti-roosting/perching product'

It is important to make the distinction between anti-roosting products and bird exclusion products. The pigeon spike is a pure anti-roosting/perching product that is used almost exclusively to stop virtually any species of wild bird from landing on flat surfaces, although the product can also be used to block holes and can be installed vertically, horizontally and upside down in this application. Bird exclusion products such as nylon bird netting are normally installed to protect an area rather than a specific surface. The major difference between the two types of product, in real terms, is that the pigeon spike is relatively inexpensive to purchase, can be installed by the property owner and is completely reversible and non-invasive (in relation to the fabric of the building) to install; nylon bird netting, on the other hand, can be an expensive product to have installed and in a majority of cases it must be installed by a specialist contractor. Nylon bird netting is also highly invasive to install (in respect of the fabric of the building – it must be drilled and bolted in place) and, unlike pigeon spikes, is not reversible. In 99% of applications where nylon bird netting is recommended as a means of controlling pigeons, anti-roosting spikes can be used to much greater effect and at a significantly lower cost to the property owner.

Dave B

Bird Spikes

'Bird spikes are almost invisible once installed'

Bird spikes are used throughout every town or city centre worldwide and can be seen installed on a huge variety of surfaces as a means of deterring almost every species of wild bird, although they are most commonly installed on buildings for the purpose of Pigeon control. Bird spikes are almost invisible once installed and therefore can be used to protect buildings where aesthetics are the greatest consideration, providing the property owner with a neat, effective and low-visibility control. Other examples of where the Bird spike can be used to great effect are lamp posts, flat surfaces of any description, gutters, louvers, roofs, pipes, statues, cabling, awnings, aerials, chimneys, eaves, architectural features of virtually any description, glass canopies, I-beams, air conditioning housings, railings, flat roofs, boats, shop signs and even trees - the range of applications for the product is endless including CCTV and security cameras.

Dave B.

Pigeon Spikes

'Pigeon spikes are renowned for their versatility in terms of application'

Anti-roosting pigeon spikes are considered to be the most efficient and the most cost-effective pigeon exclusion device available within the pest control marketplace. Most independent experts believe that pigeon spikes are the only anti-roosting product (or exclusion device) that can be considered to be 100% effective, providing that they are installed as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pigeon spikes are renowned for their versatility in terms of application, longevity and the ease of installation, making them the best-selling anti-roosting product available. Probably their greatest benefit to the property owner is the fact that the product is not only extremely quick and easy to install but they can be installed by virtually anyone, negating the need to instruct a specialist contractor and thereby further reducing the cost and complexity of the installation.

DB

How To Control Pigeon Numbers In Towns And Cities.

'Dovecotes are the way forward however you need to set aside an annual budget for the general dovecote maintenance and care of the pigeons for this long term project'

The need to control feral pigeon populations in urban areas has been the subject of intense debate for decades with town and city councils making little impact on the problem due to lack of investment and, in many cases, a reluctance to think laterally. Although the feral pigeon has been a common feature of urban life for the last 100 years there is no doubt that urban flocks are now growing faster than their numbers can be controlled. The reason for this unprecedented rise in feral pigeon numbers is due, almost exclusively, to the availability of food and the methods used to control the birds. Other factors such as the availability of good roosting and breeding facilities also play their part.

The feral pigeon is completely at home in urban environments, exploiting humans for food and using buildings for the purposes of roosting and breeding. This is because the feral pigeon is a descendent of the rock dove, a cliff-dwelling bird that was commonly found feeding and breeding along rocky coastlines prior to its mass exodus inland to make its home alongside man. The only proven method of reducing pigeon flock size as part of an area-wide control system is to use artificial breeding facilities. This stand-alone method of control has been scientifically proven to reduce pigeon flock size and is currently being employed throughout mainland Europe by councils and commercial organisations alike. The principle of a scheme using artificial breeding facilities is to provide a pigeon loft or dovecote in which feral pigeons can be encouraged to roost and breed and from which their eggs can be removed as laid and replaced with dummy eggs. This method of breeding control has been found to be extremely effective in reducing flock size and maintaining that reduction indefinitely.

Other pigeon control products are available, although deterrents cannot be considered to be cheap, if the correct choice is made and if the product is sourced and installed by the property owner concerned at least 20-30 years’ protection should be afforded. The correct choice of deterrents is key, with some anti-perching products such as repellent gel only providing between 3 and 12 months’ protection and bird exclusion products like nylon bird netting only offering 5-10 years’ protection. The anti-roosting spike will, however, offer the property owner up to 30 years’ protection without the need to maintain or replace the product, making it an economical and aesthetically pleasing choice.

The above information is taken from the following article supplied by the Pigeon Control Resource Centre.
DB

Bird Spike Quality and Building Aesthetics

'Bird spike customers need to understand the long term dangers of inferior products!'

Quality in bird spikes is paramount to the ongoing success of town high streets, shopping centres and building aesthetics, as cheaper overseas products come onto the UK market. Although they offer value for money the long term damage of brown staining to buildings from rusting wires can be costly. The Defender stainless steel bird spike range manufactured by Jones & Son Pest Control Supplies Ltd in the UK use 304 grade stainless steel with 8% nickel content ensuring a rust free product. An cheaper alternative to stainless steel is the plastic bird spike made from 100% UV polycarbonate, these can be used in exactly the same installations as the steel spikes.

Dave B

Pigeon Spikes to stop birds roosting on your property.

Pigeon spikes are completely humane and non-lethal, unlike many of its counterparts. Internationally renowned bird protection agencies, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), recommend pigeon spikes, confirming their place as the most effective and the most humane anti-roosting product available. Although pigeon spikes may appear to be able to inflict harm on any bird that comes into contact with them, the chance of a bird injuring itself is virtually zero. This is because most birds that occupy urban areas, where the pigeon spike is most commonly used, are intelligent and well versed in avoiding dangers such as roads, overhead cables, etc., and will not attempt to land on an area protected with pigeon spikes. It is virtually unheard of for a pigeon to harm itself on anti-roosting spikes and therefore the product can be used with a clear conscience by property owners experiencing pigeon-related problems. Products such as nylon bird netting, another commonly used deterrent against pigeons, has a poor track record in this respect, with vast numbers of pigeons dying each year having become trapped behind or within poor netting installations.

DB

Hero or Villain

It has taken less than a century for people to change their minds from supporting the feral pigeon to vilifying it for the mess they make.

Hero:
In modern times the feral pigeon has been used to great effect during wartime. In both the first and second World Wars the pigeon played a vital role in intelligence gathering saving hundreds of thousands of human lives by carrying messages across enemy lines. Pigeons were carried on ships in convoys and in the event of a U-boat attack a messenger pigeon was released with details of the location of the sinking ship. In many cases this lead to the survivors being rescued and lives saved.

Villain:
Today many Town & City businesses deal with an ongoing battle against bird droppings, nesting materials and pigeon control.

Pigeon spikes are used throughout every town or city centre worldwide and can be seen installed on a huge variety of surfaces as a means of deterring almost every species of wild bird, although they are most commonly installed on buildings for the purpose of pigeon control. Pigeon spikes are almost invisible once installed and therefore can be used to protect buildings where aesthetics are the greatest consideration, providing the property owner with a neat, effective and low-visibility control. Other examples of where the pigeon spike can be used to great effect are lamp posts, flat surfaces of any description, gutters, louvers, roofs, pipes, statues, cabling, awnings, aerials, chimneys, eaves, architectural features of virtually any description, glass canopies, I-beams, air conditioning housings, railings, flat roofs, boats, shop signs and even trees - the range of applications for the product is endless.

For a full range of anti roosting spikes: http://www.birdspikesonline.co.uk/

DB

The Internet will help achieve "friction free capitalism" by putting buyer and seller in direct contact and providing more information to both about each other. Bill Gates

Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising. Mark Twain.

'Pigeon' will provide information, up to date views, articles and opinions regarding all elements of bird pest control. I have something small that I want to make large (I know what your thinking) and it starts now – straight after breakfast tomorrow morning.

DB