Home | Management of Invasive Species | Species Accounts | Pigeons

Pigeons

Robbins (1995) stated that the single, most serious pest bird in the United States is the common pigeon, an invasive species. Pigeons have been reported as being responsible for damages in every state and territory except the Virgin Islands. Pigeons cause damage to property and agriculture, and are a threat to human health and safety. Pigeons are a reservoir and vector for more than 50 human and livestock diseases including ornithosis, histoplasmosis, and encephalitis (Weber 1979, Long 1981). Haag-Wackernagel (1995) estimated that management costs associated with pigeon control are $9 per bird per year. Invasive pigeon damages reported to WS ranged from $198,209 to $6,412,725 with an average of $1,590,730 and a median of $804,481 per year. The total damage attributable to invasive pigeons represented 1.1% and 0.1%, respectively of the amount of yearly damages ($1.1 billion) estimated by Pimental et al. (1999).(Bergman 2002)

Pigeons - Quick Reference Sheet

Pigeons (Description and control) Univ. of Florida

Controlling Nuisance: Pigeons
University of Missouri Extension
Missouri Department of Conservation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Urban Wildlife Damage Control Series

English sparrows, starlings, and pigeons cause many conflicts in urban areas.
This is a guide to controlling nuisance bird populations.
Kansas State University Extension and Research

Pigeons
Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

Pigeon Nuisance Problems
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Controlling Nuisance Pigeons
Missouri Department of Conservation

Controlling Nuisance: Pigeons
University of Missouri Extension

Pigeons (Rock Doves) (PDF)
Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service

Controlling Feral Pigeons (PDF)
Texas Agriculture Extension Service