How Do Homing Pigeons Find Home?

How Do Homing Pigeons Find Home?

How do you like to communicate with your friends? Do you pick up the telephone to talk to them? Or would you prefer to send them text messages? Perhaps you have fun sending short messages and pictures via smartphone apps?

What if you had a bird that would deliver a message to your friend? Your friend could then write a response that your bird would bring back to you. Sound a bit like sending owls in the wizarding world of Harry Potter? That type of magic isn’t entirely the stuff of books, especially if you have a homing pigeon!

Homing pigeons are a type of domestic pigeon descended from the rock pigeon. Wild rock pigeons have an innate ability to find their way home from long distances. Today’s homing pigeons have been carefully bred to do the same, including carrying messages over those long distances.

Unlike the owls in the Harry Potter books, homing pigeons can’t be given an address or a person to fly to. If taken a ways from home, though, they can find their way back home in a remarkably short period of time. In fact, homing pigeons have been known to find their way home from as many as 1,100 miles away, and they can travel an average of 50 miles per hour with bursts of up to 90 mph!

This ability has made them valuable as messengers since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians. Homing pigeons were used extensively in both World War I and World War II. Several birds even received medals for their service in delivering critical messages during wartime!

But how do they find their way home over such long distances? Could you imagine being dropped off 1,000 miles away and having to find your way home? You might reach for a map, smartphone, or Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to guide you home. What do homing pigeons do?

Despite many scientific studies over the years, no one yet fully understands how homing pigeons navigate home across long distances. There are several theories that experts believe explain at least part of the processes at work.

Scientists now believe that homing pigeons have both compass and map mechanisms that help them navigate home. The compass mechanism helps them to fly in the right direction, while the map mechanism allows them to compare where they are to where they want to be (home).

A homing pigeon’s compass mechanism likely relies upon the Sun. Like many other birds, homing pigeons can use the position and angle of the Sun to determine the proper direction for flight. The map mechanism, however, remains a bit of a mystery.

Some researchers believe homing pigeons use magnetoreception, which involves relying on Earth’s magnetic fields for guidance. Researchers have found that homing pigeons have concentrations of iron particles in their beaks that would allow them to detect magnetic fields easily.

More recent research, however, suggests that homing pigeons may instead rely upon low-frequency infrasound to find their way home. These low-frequency sounds are inaudible to human ears, but they’re created by nearly everything, including the oceans and Earth’s crust.

Homing pigeons may listen to these sounds until they recognize the signature sounds of their home roost. Of course, researchers also note that, once homing pigeons get closer to home, they may also be guided, in part, by familiar landmarks, just like humans use when navigating.

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal -friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Canada’s top wholesaler for bird deterrent products for twelve consecutive years.

Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/

Bird Gone, Pigeon Gone, Pigeon problems, pigeon spikes, 1-877-4NO-BIRD, 4-S Gel, Bird Control, Pigeon Control, bird repellent, Bird Spikes, sonic bird repellent, stainless steel bird spikes, bird spikes Vancouver, Ultra Sonic Bird Control, Bird Netting, Plastic Bird Spikes, Canada bird spike deterrents, Pigeon Pests, B Gone Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, pest controller, pest control operator, pest control technician, Pigeon Control Products, humane pigeon spikes, pigeon deterrents, pigeon traps, Pigeon repellents, Sound & Laser Deterrents, wildlife control, raccoon, skunk, squirrel deterrent, De-Fence Spikes, Dragons Den, Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, Pigeons Roosting, Vancouver Pigeon Control, Bird Spikes, Bird Control, Bird Deterrent, Pigeon Deterrent, Surrey Pigeon Control, Pest, Seagull deterrent  Vancouver Pigeon Blog, Birds Inside Home De-fence, Pigeon Nesting, Bird Droppings, Pigeon Dropping, woodpecker control,  Keep The Birds Away, Birds/rats, seagull, pigeon, woodpecker, dove, sparrow, pidgeon control, pidgeon problem, pidgeon control, flying rats, pigeon Problems, bird netting, bird gel, bird spray, bird nails, bird guard, Pigeon control, Bird deterrents, Pigeon deterrents, Bird control, solutions, Pigeon prevention, Pigeon repellent, Bird proofing, Pest bird management, Pigeon spikes, Bird netting, Humane bird control, Bird exclusion, Urban bird control, Anti-roosting devices, Pigeon removal, Bird barriers

Pigeons, Rats with Wings?

Pigeons, Rats with Wings?

Though they may look cute from a park bench, pigeons are filthy birds.  Like rats they carry diseases and can cause damage.  In addition to being unsightly and stinky, droppings from pigeons can damage buildings, statues, equipment, and other outdoor structures.   Their droppings are also known for triggering people to slip and fall, which makes it especially important to rid the birds from highly trafficked areas.

Pigeon droppings, especially when dry and airborne, can expose humans to many diseases, including aspergillus, Newcastle disease, candidiasis, encephalitis, ornithosis, and toxoplasmosis.  In addition, they can also carry cryptococcosis, and coccidiodomycosis, which cause meningitis.  The droppings may also harbor growth of fungus, which causes histoplasmosis.  Fleas, lice, mites, and other pests often live on these birds, hitching a ride to where ever they want to jump off. Pigeons may also attract other pests, such as rats, which feed on dead pigeons and food that well-intentioned bird lovers may scatter for them.

Prolific breeders, pigeons hatch several broods a year, sometimes even laying a new clutch before the previous have even hatched.  They are creatures of habit and highly social.  Once they have found a cozy spot the will return again and again, bringing along more of their pigeon pals.  Often our buildings and structures have architectural features such as drain spouts and eaves that make perfect nesting spots for these birds. Pigeons are comfortable around humans and they’re hard to scare away or deter.  Once a flock of stubborn unwanted pigeons have set up shop in/on your building, it can be stubbornly resistant to removal, often requiring the services of a pest control or animal control professional. As is true of many pests that invade our homes and businesses, the first step to controlling feral pigeons is to remove their food source.

Tips to deter pigeons:

1.       Screen drains and gutters to make your property less attractive to pigeons

2.       Encourage children to pick up spilled food – and teach them NOT to feed rats with wings

3.       Keep areas around trash bins and outdoor dining areas clean

4.       Eliminate water sources such as bird baths, over-watered lawns, or kiddy pools.

Source

Pigeon Patrol

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal -friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Canada’s top wholesaler for bird deterrent products for twelve consecutive years.

Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/

Bird Gone, Pigeon Gone, Pigeon problems, pigeon spikes, 1-877-4NO-BIRD, 4-S Gel, Bird Control, Pigeon Control, bird repellent, Bird Spikes, sonic bird repellent, stainless steel bird spikes, bird spikes Vancouver, Ultra Sonic Bird Control, Bird Netting, Plastic Bird Spikes, Canada bird spike deterrents, Pigeon Pests, B Gone Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, pest controller, pest control operator, pest control technician, Pigeon Control Products, humane pigeon spikes, pigeon deterrents, pigeon traps, Pigeon repellents, Sound & Laser Deterrents, wildlife control, raccoon, skunk, squirrel deterrent, De-Fence Spikes, Dragons Den, Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, Pigeons Roosting, Vancouver Pigeon Control, Bird Spikes, Bird Control, Bird Deterrent, Pigeon Deterrent, Surrey Pigeon Control, Pest, Seagull deterrent  Vancouver Pigeon Blog, Birds Inside Home De-fence, Pigeon Nesting, Bird Droppings, Pigeon Dropping, woodpecker control,  Keep The Birds Away, Birds/rats, seagull, pigeon, woodpecker, dove, sparrow, pidgeon control, pidgeon problem, pidgeon control, flying rats, pigeon Problems, bird netting, bird gel, bird spray, bird nails, bird guard, Pigeon control, Bird deterrents, Pigeon deterrents, Bird control, solutions, Pigeon prevention, Pigeon repellent, Bird proofing, Pest bird management, Pigeon spikes, Bird netting, Humane bird control, Bird exclusion, Urban bird control, Anti-roosting devices, Pigeon removal, Bird barriers

 

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

Pigeons can present a number of problems and hazards, especially when they congregate in large numbers. Their droppings are not only unsightly, they are also dangerous and corrosive. In this post we look at practical steps that can be taken to get rid of problematic pigeons.

Pigeon Pest Control and the Law

Before considering various techniques to eradicate the presence of pigeons its important to be aware of the UK law regarding wild birds. This is legislated by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and detailed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Chapter 69).

This states that wild birds, along with their nests and eggs, are protected by UK law making it illegal to destroy or interfere with them, except under licence. If a licence is obtained, non-lethal methods of pigeon pest control should always be considered first as lethal methods have been found to be totally ineffective. Killing off existing pest pigeons simply reduces the competition for food and shelter prompting the remaining pigeons to increase their breeding rates to compensate.

People troubled by pigeons building nests and laying eggs often ask: How can I remove a pigeon’s nest? While the humane solution may appear to be relocating the nest to a more suitable location, the nest and eggs are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act from 1981, so moving them is against the law.

What is a Feral Pigeon?

Feral pigeons are all descended from domestic pigeons which were originally bred from rock doves whose natural habitat is seaside cliffs and mountains. Rock doves, domestic pigeons and feral pigeons are all the same species.

People often want to know if Feral Pigeons and Wood Pigeons are the same. Wood pigeons are the largest amongst the pigeon family. They are fatter than feral pigeons and prefer a diet of leaves, berries and fruits. They also prefer to construct their nests in quiet woodland and park areas and therefore don`t tend to become pests.

Where do Pigeons Nest?

Feral pigeons have readily adapted their nesting habits from the seaside cliffs and mountains, preferred by rock doves, to our urban environments. The birds will roost and nest on almost any horizontal surface that provides a small amount of shelter. Ledges, balconies, rooftops and empty buildings are all typical nesting sites.

Feral pigeons tend to build their flimsy platform nests from twigs but will also use whatever is available, such as rubbish and pieces of plastic. Peak breeding season is between March and July but nest building will often begin in February.

How Many Eggs Does a Pigeon Lay?

Its interesting to note that pigeons are monogamous and will mate for life. Female pigeons reach sexual maturity after just 7 months and 8 to 12 days after mating will lay between 1 and 3 eggs, typically 2. The eggs are incubated for around 19 days and the hatched pigeon chicks (squabs) are fledged and leave the nest after around 30 to 37 days.

Pigeons can breed at any time of year but peak reproduction takes place in the spring and autumn.

How Long Does a Pigeon Live For?

In captivity pigeons have been known to live as long as 15 years. But in urban environments a pigeon lifespan of around 2 to 3 years is more common.

Do Pigeons Carry Diseases?

People often want to know, are pigeons dirty and do they carry disease? Pigeons can carry a range of diseases that include salmonellosis, tuberculosis and ornithosis which can potentially infect humans. In fact pigeons are known to carry in excess of 60 pathogens which is common in wild birds.

Dead pigeon caracasses, pigeon droppings and nesting materials can also contain a variety of mites and insects which may cause disease, skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Does Pigeon Poop Damage Buildings?

Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, dangerously slippery and infectious they can also damage buildings. The acid content in pigeon droppings can lead to the deterioration of soft stone, causing long term damage. Accumulated pigeon droppings can be difficult and expensive to remove without causing further damage.

Pigeon Control Methods

It should be noted that one of the most effective ways to restrict the size of pigeon flocks in any location is to control the availability of food. Limited food supply will reduce the number of new birds arriving at a site and suppress breeding.

As noted, under UK law, shooting pigeons isn’t allowed without a licence. Similarly, baiting and poisoning pest pigeons isn’t allowed and can present risks for other animals. Trapping problem pigeons is another tactic that might be considered but is recognised as ineffective and expensive and should only ever be carried out by professionals.

What is the Best Pigeon Deterrent?

To avoid the health risks associated with pigeons along with the mess and potential property damage they cause we often need to discourage and prevent them from from roosting or nesting on or around our homes and property. Legal restrictions mean that only humane, harmless techniques can be employed, so what are the best available pigeon deterrents?

What Do Pigeons Hate?

As noted, pigeons avoid areas where there is poor food supply so this needs to be considered. They also dislike the presence of birds of prey and they don’t like strong aromas such as cinnamon or hot pepper. And like all birds, pigeons are sensitive to fire and can see the ultraviolet light emitted by burning materials which they will naturally avoid.

Minimising the availability of food combined with spraying areas with strong smells can be an effective deterrent tactic.

Pigeon Repellent Gel

Pigeon repellent gel is also known as Bird Free Fire Gel and Bird Free Optical Gel. Its an extensively proven material that prevents all birds, including pigeons, from nesting and roosting where they are not welcome.

The gel is formulated from natural oils and food grade ingredients which, in combination, emit UV light that looks like a naked flame to birds. Locating small containers of this exceptional material in areas where pigeons like to land and roost has an immediate effect. Birds see the gel as a naked flame and their natural instinct is to keep away. In addition, the gel is formulated with a mild peppermint and black pepper aroma which acts as a further deterrent.

Bird Free Fire Gel is available in convenient preloaded dishes along with fixings to securely attach the dishes to pipes, railings and other perches favoured by pigeons.

Anti Bird Netting

Anti-bird netting is also known as pigeon netting, bird control netting or simply bird netting. Netting provides a highly effective anti-bird barrier but is often considered unsightly. Its commonly used to protect:

  • Fruit trees and bushes
  • Balconies
  • Outdoor eating areas
  • Courtyards
  • Patios
  • Signage
  • Car parking areas

Bird Deterrent Pigeon Wire

Parallel wire bird-deterrent systems provide an alternative to bird netting. Lengths of parallel steel wires are installed in areas to which pigeons are naturally attracted, such as rooftops, balconies and eves. Pigeons will seek alternative areas to roost and build their nests when they encounter these wires.

Anti Bird Spikes

Anti bird spikes are a well known, highly effective anti bird device. They are simply strips of harmless spikes mounted in areas where pest pigeons like to land. When they encounter the spikes, they steer clear.

Anti pigeon spikes5 are made from lightweight polycarbonate while anti-seagull spikes are made from tougher stainless steel that can withstand seagull beaks. Gutter fixing clips make it quick and easy to install these effective pigeon deterrent spikes where pigeons like to perch.

Birds of Prey and Decoys

As previously noted, pigeons don’t like dominant birds of prey and will avoid their territories. Using birds of prey for pest control is marketed as a green, natural and humane tactic as it is considered to be non-lethal. But since raptors cannot be trained not kill the target species and the majority of raptors used for pigeon control are not their natural predators this technique shouldn’t really be considered as ‘natural’. Another important consideration when using birds of prey to dispel problematic pigeons is that it`s generally employed for short term bird clearance, for example at football grounds and sports arenas.

A genuinely safe, humane alternative is to use replica raptors. Replicas of hawks, falcons, owls and other birds of prey have long been used as bird repellents in a variety of situations.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons from Your Roof

If you are troubled by pigeons congregating on a rooftop a variety of techniques can be used to keep them away. As noted, if the birds have created nests and laid eggs you will need to wait until the chicks have fledged before taking steps to keep the pest pigeons away.

Containers filled with pigeon repellent fire gel distributed around the rooftop areas favoured by the birds has been found to be highly effective and easy to install.

Anti bird netting covering the whole rooftop area is highly effective but can be tricky to install and must be maintained. Similarly, parallel anti bird wires can be effective along ledges, guttering and rooftop edges. And anti-bird spikes work well when mounted along favoured perch areas.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons from Your Balcony

People like to make the most of their balconies, especially in the warmer months. But pest pigeons can turn balconies into dangerous health hazards.

One of the most effective techniques to protect a balcony from pest birds is to shroud the whole balcony in anti bird netting. But obviously many people will consider this tactic to be unsightly, especially during the warmer months when they want to use their balconies. The deployment of bird repellent fire gel in small dishes, distributed along the balcony rail and wherever birds are inclined to land, has been found to be highly effective in keeping balconies free from pest pigeons.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons Under Solar Panels

More and more homes are installing solar power with rooftop mounted solar panels. These installations naturally attract the attention of pest pigeons who are seeking safe locations to build their nests and raise their young.

Bird Free Fire gel has been successfully deployed around many solar panel installations, effectively preventing problem pigeons from establishing their nests.

Source

Pigeon Patrol

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal -friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Canada’s top wholesaler for bird deterrent products for twelve consecutive years.

Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/

Bird Gone, Pigeon Gone, Pigeon problems, pigeon spikes, 1-877-4NO-BIRD, 4-S Gel, Bird Control, Pigeon Control, bird repellent, Bird Spikes, sonic bird repellent, stainless steel bird spikes, bird spikes Vancouver, Ultra Sonic Bird Control, Bird Netting, Plastic Bird Spikes, Canada bird spike deterrents, Pigeon Pests, B Gone Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, pest controller, pest control operator, pest control technician, Pigeon Control Products, humane pigeon spikes, pigeon deterrents, pigeon traps, Pigeon repellents, Sound & Laser Deterrents, wildlife control, raccoon, skunk, squirrel deterrent, De-Fence Spikes, Dragons Den, Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, Pigeons Roosting, Vancouver Pigeon Control, Bird Spikes, Bird Control, Bird Deterrent, Pigeon Deterrent, Surrey Pigeon Control, Pest, Seagull deterrent  Vancouver Pigeon Blog, Birds Inside Home De-fence, Pigeon Nesting, Bird Droppings, Pigeon Dropping, woodpecker control,  Keep The Birds Away, Birds/rats, seagull, pigeon, woodpecker, dove, sparrow, pidgeon control, pidgeon problem, pidgeon control, flying rats, pigeon Problems, bird netting, bird gel, bird spray, bird nails, bird guard, Pigeon control, Bird deterrents, Pigeon deterrents, Bird control, solutions, Pigeon prevention, Pigeon repellent, Bird proofing, Pest bird management, Pigeon spikes, Bird netting, Humane bird control, Bird exclusion, Urban bird control, Anti-roosting devices, Pigeon removal, Bird barriers

Chicago a bird death trap of glass and light

Chicago a bird death trap of glass and light

Chicago ranks as the deadliest city in the United States for birds, according to a recent study by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

People might think that a larger city like New York would be guilty of more bird-window collisions than Chicago, but an unfortunate combination of building structures and geographical placement proves to be deadlier than size.

Pigeon Patrol, Pigeon Deterrent, bird control, pigeon control, bird repellent, bird proof, bird contrl, sound unit, netting bird, bird netting, spikes, pointy things, Ultra-Flex Bird Spikes, bird deterrent, bird spike, bird control, spikes, bird repellent spikes, bird deterrent spikes, steel bird spikes, bird netting, bird control, netting bird, bird repellent, pigeon control, bird proof, bird problems, bird proofing, bird repellers, bird control systems, anti bird, 1-877-4-no-bird, no bird, nobird, bird lazers, bird lasers bird lasers, sonic bird repellers, ultrasonic bird repellers, Get rid of pigeons, pigeon problems, pigeon control system, Keep Pigeons Off, Canada, USA, Manufacturer bird control, Bird Control Products, bird deterrent, bird net, bird netting, bird removal, bird repellent, bird spike strips, bird spikes, birds off, building maintenance, Integrated Pest Supplies Ltd, Pest Control Products, New Westminster, BC,building maintenance birds, building maintenance tips, get rid of birds, how to get rid of birds, pigeon control, scare birds, stop bird, High frequencies, ultrasonic ,sonic , sound waves ,roof tops, ledges, balconies, buildings ,warehouses, bird sound deterrents, physical bird deterrents ,visual bird deterrents, disinfectant, Tubesonic, keep birds out, pest bird, how to get rid of bird, electric shock, bird deterrent system, keep birds away, pest bird problems, plastic bird spikes, scare birds, bird off get, suppliers of bird control, Integrated Pest Control, intergraded, intergratedpestsupplies, pigeon spikes, bird spikes, pigeon deterrent, get rid of pigeons, pigeon control, bird spike, pigeon deterrents, how to get rid of pigeons, bird strike, Pigeon Patrol, bird control, bird netting, spikes, bird deterrent, bird spike, bird controlPigeon Patrol funny bird

“It’s not just the size of the city, it also has to do with how bright the city is and also where the birds are flying themselves.” said Kyle Horton, the lead researcher on the study which evaluated 125 cities for their bird-killing potential.

Every fall, billions of birds will fly from the northern United States and Canada to the tropics and in the spring those birds return from their tropical vacation, according to the Cornell Chronicle.

Chicago is positioned on one of the primary flight paths, Horton said. It is the nation’s deadliest city for birds during both the spring and fall migrations. Other Great Lakes regional cities in the study’s top 20: Minneapolis (sixth spring, seventh fall), Detroit (13th spring, 15th fall), Indianapolis (16th spring, 13th fall).

Annette Prince witnesses this flight and its casualties firsthand. She is the director of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, a volunteer-based conservation project that has been protecting and recovering birds that are killed and injured in downtown Chicago during these mass migrations since 2003.

“They’re birds that certainly cannot afford to be having collisions as an additional reason to have their species reduced,” Prince said.

The decline of these species doesn’t only affect local populations and ecosystems. Migratory bird populations are an important part of a global environment, she said.

“Chicago is in the fortunate position to enjoy a huge migration of birds every spring and fall,” Prince said. “They’re following a pathway that they’ve used for thousands of years, before there was ever a city here.”

What was once a lakefront that travel-weary migrating birds could easily navigate and find pitstops offering food and rest is now a maze of lights, reflections and invisible yet deadly obstacles. This results in 5,000 dead birds per square-mile in Chicago, Prince said.

And that’s a low estimate. The volunteers at Chicago Bird Collision Monitors can’t find every crime scene when there are so many, and there are plenty that could be tampered with by passing pedestrians, cars, or a wandering cat or dog, Prince said.

Windows are often the perpetrator of these deaths, but lights act as a productive accomplice.

“It’s not necessarily that the lights are killing birds,” Horton said. “It’s that the lights seem to attract birds, it disorients them and elevates their risk of colliding with structures.”

To reduce the risk of bird-window collisions, Horton encourages those who live in or work in buildings to turn off or dim unneeded lights. This is especially relevant at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for three to four weeks of spring and fall, which is when the majority of birds would be moving through the city, said Horton.

Reducing lights can decrease bird-window collisions, but building-designers and homeowners can also make changes to the windows themselves without living in a building devoid of natural light.

“The glass has to have some sort of visual noise, something that alerts the birds to the presence of a surface instead of an opening,” Prince said.

This visual noise could be decorations such as hanging banners, cords, ribbons, or sunshades in front of the window. It could also be modifications to the window itself like window films, decals, etchings, or use of glass that isn’t as reflective or transparent. Further information on measures and products that can be used to make windows less susceptible to bird-window collisions can be found on the websites of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and the American Bird Conservancy.

“We have the tools to make things safer for birds,” said Prince. “It’s just a question of people saying that it matters enough that we will do it.”

Migratory birds have been declining for decades and the lack of awareness of the importance of these options is a major setback in their use, said Pamela Rasmussen, an assistant professor in Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science.

“Everyone just wants nice shiny skyscrapers,” she said. “They have no idea what they’re doing to the bird population.”

Researchers are developing a glass with nanotechnology that birds can see but people can’t, she said.

Local ordinances could increase awareness. To make downtown Chicago safer for birds, Alderman Brian Hopkins introduced the Chicago Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance earlier this year.

It would limit the amount of transparent or reflective glass on the exterior of buildings and specify glass that provides visual noise in situations that are proven hazardous for birds. It would also limit the amount, location and timing of exterior lighting and reduce the interior lighting visible from outside for all newly constructed buildings and any buildings that undertake a major renovation. More information can be found at the bird-friendly Chicago website.

Representatives of the Illinois Environmental Council, American Bird Conservancy and the Lincoln Park Zoo recently testified in support of the measure, according to the Office of the City Clerk.

But high-rise buildings within large urban centers aren’t the only bird hazards out there.

“A skyscraper certainly will on average kill more birds than a single residential home,” Horton said. “But…if you sum up all of the mortality that happens at low-rise buildings it’s substantially more than what would happen at a city level.”

So consider turning that porch light out or making your security lights motion-activated. It might save more than just electricity costs.

Source

Pigeon Patrol

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal -friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Canada’s top wholesaler for bird deterrent products for twelve consecutive years.

Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/

Bird Gone, Pigeon Gone, Pigeon problems, pigeon spikes, 1-877-4NO-BIRD, 4-S Gel, Bird Control, Pigeon Control, bird repellent, Bird Spikes, sonic bird repellent, stainless steel bird spikes, bird spikes Vancouver, Ultra Sonic Bird Control, Bird Netting, Plastic Bird Spikes, Canada bird spike deterrents, Pigeon Pests, B Gone Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, pest controller, pest control operator, pest control technician, Pigeon Control Products, humane pigeon spikes, pigeon deterrents, pigeon traps, Pigeon repellents, Sound & Laser Deterrents, wildlife control, raccoon, skunk, squirrel deterrent, De-Fence Spikes, Dragons Den, Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, Pigeons Roosting, Vancouver Pigeon Control, Bird Spikes, Bird Control, Bird Deterrent, Pigeon Deterrent, Surrey Pigeon Control, Pest, Seagull deterrent  Vancouver Pigeon Blog, Birds Inside Home De-fence, Pigeon Nesting, Bird Droppings, Pigeon Dropping, woodpecker control,  Keep The Birds Away, Birds/rats, seagull, pigeon, woodpecker, dove, sparrow, pidgeon control, pidgeon problem, pidgeon control, flying rats, pigeon Problems, bird netting, bird gel, bird spray, bird nails, bird guard, Pigeon control, Bird deterrents, Pigeon deterrents, Bird control, solutions, Pigeon prevention, Pigeon repellent, Bird proofing, Pest bird management, Pigeon spikes, Bird netting, Humane bird control, Bird exclusion, Urban bird control, Anti-roosting devices, Pigeon removal, Bird barriers

Pigeon poop proves a problem. Police involved

Pigeon poop proves a problem. Police involved

The pigeon problem in Kirkland Lake is so bad, police felt the need to issue a news release this morning warning residents to follow the law when dealing with them.

The town started renting out traps to residents today to capture pigeons, and police say that trappers will be responsible for the disposal of the birds, which includes a ban on throwing them in the garbage for curbside pickup. Successful trappers will instead have to take the pigeons for burial at the town dump.

“The OPP want to inform the residents that it is each individual’s responsibility to educate themselves on this topic and to ensure that they are acting within the laws, regulations and town by-laws,” says Constable Adam Gauthier.

The problem started, says Ashley Bilodeau, Kirkland Lake’s Manager of Planning and Land Development, when a few bird lovers started feeding the pigeons.

“We have a couple of residents that have been obnoxiously feeding pigeons to the point where we have some serious problem areas, so we passed a no-feeding bylaw back in the fall,” she told BayToday. “However, there is one individual who just continues to feed them despite the bylaw and has been charged. There’s been a few charges laid around town but there is one individual who is causing more headaches than normal.”

The fine for feeding is steep at $100, and that’s down from the $250 the town wanted to charge but the province wouldn’t allow it.

“So we’re trying to find different ways to combat the issue because it’s now causing problems to people’s properties and vehicles because there are so many of them.”

Bilodeau says the town has checked with the MNRF and it’s not illegal to kill pigeons although you are required to have a small game licence in order to trap and kill pigeons.

The town has not placed a limit on the number of pigeons people can capture, but police warn folks can’t use their guns to shoot the birds because discharging a firearm is prohibited within the Town of Kirkland Lake,

Bilodeau says poop is the problem.

“They’re also causing damage to buildings by trying to build nesting areas,” she adds. “We’ve got four traps here and people can come in and put in a deposit and take the trap for 10 days, and when they bring it back they get their money back.”

Pigeons were originally bred from the wild rock dove, which naturally inhabits sea-cliffs and mountains according to Wikipedia, so the bird finds the ledges of buildings to be a substitute for sea cliffs.

They have become abundant in towns and cities throughout the world. Due to their abilities to create large amounts of excrement and to carry disease, combined with crop and property damage, pigeons are largely considered a nuisance with steps being taken in many municipalities to lower their numbers or completely eradicate them.

Source

Pigeon Patrol

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal -friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Canada’s top wholesaler for bird deterrent products for twelve consecutive years.

Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at https://www.pigeonpatrol.ca/

Bird Gone, Pigeon Gone, Pigeon problems, pigeon spikes, 1-877-4NO-BIRD, 4-S Gel, Bird Control, Pigeon Control, bird repellent, Bird Spikes, sonic bird repellent, stainless steel bird spikes, bird spikes Vancouver, Ultra Sonic Bird Control, Bird Netting, Plastic Bird Spikes, Canada bird spike deterrents, Pigeon Pests, B Gone Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, pest controller, pest control operator, pest control technician, Pigeon Control Products, humane pigeon spikes, pigeon deterrents, pigeon traps, Pigeon repellents, Sound & Laser Deterrents, wildlife control, raccoon, skunk, squirrel deterrent, De-Fence Spikes, Dragons Den, Pigeon, Pigeon Patrol, Pigeons Roosting, Vancouver Pigeon Control, Bird Spikes, Bird Control, Bird Deterrent, Pigeon Deterrent, Surrey Pigeon Control, Pest, Seagull deterrent  Vancouver Pigeon Blog, Birds Inside Home De-fence, Pigeon Nesting, Bird Droppings, Pigeon Dropping, woodpecker control,  Keep The Birds Away, Birds/rats, seagull, pigeon, woodpecker, dove, sparrow, pidgeon control, pidgeon problem, pidgeon control, flying rats, pigeon Problems, bird netting, bird gel, bird spray, bird nails, bird guard, Pigeon control, Bird deterrents, Pigeon deterrents, Bird control, solutions, Pigeon prevention, Pigeon repellent, Bird proofing, Pest bird management, Pigeon spikes, Bird netting, Humane bird control, Bird exclusion, Urban bird control, Anti-roosting devices, Pigeon removal, Bird barriers

y/bird nails/bird guard