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Pigeon Control and Information
Northwest Nuisance Wildlife Control traps, removes, manages and
controls most animal species, including pigeons.
Feral pigeons or Rock doves |
Our pigeon control services
include the trapping, removal and
control of problem pigeons from urban, rural and suburban
areas. Pigeons have many names. Many species of pigeons also occur. At NNWC, we focus our attention on the species Columba livia,
otherwise known as the rock dove, feral pigeon, park
pigeon, city pigeon or "flying rat." Woody Allen once coined
these pest birds as "Rats with wings." The term stuck, and rightfully
so. Here at NNWC, we receive hundreds
of calls each year for pigeon control. We have successfully
trapped and removed thousands of pest pigeons for our Washington
clients. Band-tailed pigeons and other
related species also reside in Washington State, but most are game
birds protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of
1973. Check with the Washington State Fish
and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department
for hunting regulations specific to your area. Federal and state laws do not protect the feral pigeon or rock dove (Columba livia). Pigeons (Columba livia)
The
feral pigeon is primary a grain and seed eater. Pigeons will hang
around cattle facilities and horse barns, chicken houses, dairy farms,
and any location where food is readily available. They will eat
large quantities of grain and feed that is used for animal and
human consumption. Pigeons also attack fruit, berry, and vegetable
orchards.
In the city, pigeons will eat out of
dumpsters, backyard bird feeders, gardens, fruit trees and berry
bushes. Pigeons are notorious for feeding at locations where human and
livestock food materials are produced and stored. While feeding and
loafing, pigeons often contaminate food materials and living spaces
with diseases such as histoplasmosis, crytococcosis, toxoplasmosis,
pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, and salmonellosis.
The
feral pigeon is monogamous and will lay 2 eggs, 8 to 12 days
after mating. The incubation period generally lasts 18
days. The male pigeon will watch over the female while she is on
the nest. A pigeon nest usually consists of 2 white eggs in a crude
nest made of sticks, debris, paper, feathers, cigarette butts and
whatever else is available. Nests are made on a building under
a roof edge, in the rain gutter, under a bridge or just about any
place that offers some shelter.
Young pigeons are fed a liquid
pigeon milk from the crop of the adult. The young leave the nest
at 4 to 6 weeks of age, while the female lays another clutch of
eggs before her young leave. A female pigeon will lay an average
of 4 to 6 clutches per year.
Feral pigeons are typically
gray bodied, with a whitish rump, two black bars on the secondary wing
feathers and a broad, black banded tail. Feet are usually a
reddish color. The average pigeon weight is 13 ounces and average
length is 11 inches. Feral pigeons might live 3 to 4 years in the
wild. In captivity, pigeons commonly live up to 15 years or
longer.
Our Pigeon Control Programs consist of non-lethal and lethal
control methods.
For professional pigeon
trapping, removal, control, exclusion and clean up services, call the experts at Northwest Nuisance
Wildlife Control.
(360) 794-3535 or Toll Free at
1-888-868-3063
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