Urban
Pest Bird Species
These birds
are regarded as the most important bird pests of the urban environment.
Their significance will vary from country to country and other species
will, from time to time, cause problems in towns and cities. (see problems
caused by Urban Birds)
The FERAL
PIGEON (Columba livia) This is the number one urban pest bird throughout
the world. Descended from birds which were originally domesticated for
food, these birds have reverted to their wild state, but now live in
close proximity to Man. Much loved by the general public, they are responsible
for most of the bird-fouling of buildings and statues in towns and the
transmission of bird diseases, such as ornithosis, to humans.
Scaring:
As no distress call has yet been isolated, scaring with auditory or
visual systems is rarely successful for long.
Proofing:
Many systems are available, but great care must be taken with choice
of bird proofing product for each part of the building. Bird netting
with 50mm mesh is the most successful method.
Control:
Can be a good option for removing specific individuals; large-scale
culling is rarely successful for long and incurs very significant adverse
public reaction. Removal of food and shelter will help.
The STARLING
(Sturnus vulgaris)
This can be a major problem in certain localities and of no significance
in others. The problem occurs when large numbers (can be tens of thousands)
gather for night roosting. The noise, smell and extensive fouling caused
by these congregations can be horrendous. Fungi associated with the
dried guano can give rise to serious human disease problems.
Scaring:
This species has a distress call, recordings of which can often be used
successfully to prevent night roosting.
Proofing:
Few systems are effective, due to the bird's small size and agility,
with the exception of 28mm mesh bird netting.
Control:
Not usually a practical option, due to the sheer numbers of birds often
present in the flocks.
The RED BILLED
GULL (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) These large, aggressive
seagulls are causing an increasingly significant problem due to their
recent use of buildings as sites for breeding colonies. The noise, mess
and smell associated with such sites can cause serious distress to those
in the buildings concerned.
Scaring:
This species has a distress call, but playing recordings of this back
at the birds can have variable results.
Proofing:
A number of heavy-duty systems is available, with bird netting using
100mm mesh being the most successful.
Control:
Can be a good option for removing specific individuals; large-scale
culling is rarely successful for long and incurs very significant adverse
public reaction.
The HOUSE
SPARROW (Passer domesticus) This is a major problem for the food
industry, with populations becoming established inside warehouse and
retail premises. These "flying mice" gain entry through very small holes
and then damage and foul stored food. They are extremely difficult to
deal with and are now linked in NZ with salmonellosis, which is causing
widespread deaths in the sparrow population (2001) This is of great
significance for our domestic animals and primary industries by placing
stock at greater risk from secondary salmonella infection and from infection
of contaminated stock feeds.
Scaring:
No distress call has yet been isolated; scaring with auditory or visual
systems is rarely successful for long.
Proofing:
Few systems are effective, due to the bird's small size and agility,
with the exception of 19mm mesh bird netting.
Control:
Can be a good option for removing specific individuals; some methods
require Special Licences eg to use avicides such as the narcotic Alphachloralose
at high strength.
OTHER BIRDS
which can also be urban bird pests from time to time include the
Black-Backed Gull (Larus dominicanus dominicanus), Welcome Swallows
(Hirundo tahitica neoxena) Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), and Mynahs (Acridotheres
tristis)
It is essential
to check on the legal status of these birds before action.
Ace
Bird Proofing acknowledge some text and photographs
kindly supplied by Sorex.
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