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The feral, town or city pigeon is amongst the most
widespread of creatures, being found worldwide and
throughout Europe. In this country it can be found in
almost all environments including towns and cities,
farmland, parks, golf courses, moorland and woodland. All
attempts to eradicate them have failed.
There are over 300 species of pigeons and doves around the
world. Feral pigeons are believed to have descended from
domesticated strains of the rock dove. In
the wild it then interbred (and continues to interbreed)
with racing pigeons and pigeons from bird fanciers' lofts.
These birds are capable of breeding year-round, but peak
season runs from March to late August. Nests can be found on
virtually any ledge or horizontal surface
which provides a modicum of shelter. The nest is usually
made of grass and twigs, but many pest technicians will
recount stories of nests made from plastic, wire
and other scrap materials. The nest becomes more substantial
with each brood raised.
A normal clutch consists of two off-white eggs laid on
consecutive days. These are incubated for 18-19 days, and it
can occur that the female incubates the eggs
at night and the male take over during the day. Pigeons
produce a protein-rich 'pigeon milk' -a cheesy curd that
sloughs off from the lining of part of the crop. This
is initially all the nestlings need. Later, at feeding
times, the adults regurgitate food they have gathered and
stored in the crop. Young are fed twice a day in the
morning and evening. Fledging takes place alter 30-32 days
and a further clutch of eggs can be laid when the first
young are only three weeks old. It is possible
for feral pigeons to produce 9 broods a year, but 4-5 is
more normal.
Pigeons are often controlled more because of their nuisance
value than because of any serious damage they do. Complaints
can include the noise they create
from cooing and scratching (especially in the early morning
and evening), damage to cars, domestic premises, monuments
and commercial properties due to
droppings, the resultant smell, and of course the potential
slip hazard. Pigeons can also carry several species of mites
which can cause severe irritation of the
skin. Numerous secondary insects are found infesting the
droppings.
Another reason for control is the potential spread of
disease from pigeons. The pigeon is often called 'the flying
rat' and carries the most of the same diseases
and many more besides. Their presence in around food
producing factories, restaurants and cafes, food shops,
farms and docks, hospitals and other such
buildings must not be tolerated.
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