The environmental impact of the feral pigeon (Columba Livia f. Domestica) in the historic city centre of Sopron

Anna Illés; Eszter Nagy; Rebeka Ráhel Nagy; Tamás Tari

doi:10.14232/analecta.2023.4.69-76

Authors

Anna Illés University of Sopron, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Management
Eszter Nagy University of Sopron, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Management
Rebeka Ráhel Nagy Eötvös Loránd University
Tamás Tari University of Sopron, Institute of Wildlife Biology and Management https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6459-6945

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14232/analecta.2023.4.69-76

Keywords:

human-wildlife conflicts, urbanisation, public space cleanliness, monitoring

Abstract

The presence of different bird species in inhabited areas is becoming increasingly common. The problem with these species is that they are more likely to spread pathogens, contaminate public and private land with their droppings, cause economic damage or even frighten the public. One of the most notable conflict species causing environmental pressures in populated areas is the feral pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica), whose populations are increasing worldwide. Adequate practices and methods are available to reduce the problem. However, their applicability and effectiveness may vary from one locality to another due to the different characteristics of the localities and the different causes of the pigeons' presence. Therefore, it is essential to think in terms of town-specific solutions, the preparation of which requires, among other things, an assessment of the temporal and spatial pattern of occurrence of the species causing the conflict, an understanding of the extent of damage and an overview of the population's level of information. In our study, we investigated the environmental pressures of the feral pigeon in the historical city centre of Sopron, using a combination of the three elements mentioned above. For this purpose, we carried out a monthly visual population assessment combined with a photographic technique at sample points for one year. We conducted a field visit to the area to draw up a damage map of the study area and a spatial localisation of existing control methods. Questionnaire surveys complemented this to assess the public's awareness of the issue. In light of the results, we drew up a map of the pigeon conflict in the city centre of Sopron and identified possible solutions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Stringham, S.A., Mulroy, E.E., Xing, J., Record, D., Guernsey, M.W., Aldenhoven, J.T., Osborne, E.J., Shapiro, M.D. (2012): Divergence, convergence, and the ancestry of feral populations in the domestic rock pigeon. Current Biology, 22(4):302 –308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.045

Sacchi, R., Razzetti, E., Gentilli, A., Barbieri, F. (2002): Effects of building features on density and flock distribution of feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) in an urban environment., Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80:48–54. https://doi.org/10.1139/z01-202

Haag-Wackernagel, D. (1998): Ecology of feral pigeons in Basel, Switzerland. In: Proc. 7th Intern. Congr. Ecol. (eds. A. Farina Kennedy and V. Bossu). Florence, pp. 1–4.

Simms, E. (1979): The public life of the street pigeon. Hutchinson, London

Haag-Wackernagel, D. (1995): Regulation of the Street Pigeon in Basel. Wildlife Society Bulletin 23(2):256–260. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3782800

Dabert, J. (1987): Breeding ecology of the feral pigeon Columba livia f. domestica in Poznań, Poland. Acta Ornithologica 23(2): 177–195.

Johnston, R., Janiga, M. (1995): Feral pigeons. Oxford Univ. Press.

Kanojia, N., Shallu (2020): Breeding biology of feral pigeon in and around Ludhiana (Columba livia domestica). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2020; 8(3):1261–1265.

Chitty, J., Lierz, M. (2008): BSAVA Manual of Raptors, Pigeons and Passerine Birds. Gloucester, UK: BSAVA

Szép, T., Csörgő, T., Halmos, G., Lovászi, P., Nagy, K., Schmidt, A. (ed.) (2021): Magyarország madáratlasza. – Agrárminisztérium, Magyar Madártani és Természetvédelmi Egyesület, Budapest. https://mme.hu/madaratlasz

Haag-Wackernagel D., Moch, H. (2004): Health hazards posed by feral pigeons, Journal of Infections, 48(4):307-313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2003.11.001

Sachse, K., Kuehlewind, S., Ruettger, A., Schubert, E., Rohde, G. (2012): More than classical Chlamydia psittaci in urban pigeons. Veterinary Microbiology, 157(3-4):476–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.01.002

Heddema, E.R. ter Sluis, S., Buijs, J.A., Vandenbroucke-Grauls, C.M.J.E., van Wijnen, J.H., Visser, C.E., (2006): Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in Fecal Droppings from Feral Pigeons in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 72 (6):4423–4425. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02662-05

Magnino, S. Haag-Wackernagel, D. Geigenfeind, I. Helmecke, S. Dovc, A. Prukner-Radovcic, E. Kaleta, E. F. (2009): Chlamydial infections in feral pigeons in Europe: Review of data and focus on public health implications. Veterinary Microbiology 135(1-2):54–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2008.09.045

Escobar, M.P. (2014): The power of (dis)placement: pigeons and urban regeneration in Trafalgar Square. Cultural Geographies, 21(3):363–388. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26168580

Shrestha, S., Khanal, L., Pandey, N., Kyes, R.C. (2022): Conservation of Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, Nepal: Assessing the Corrosion Threat from Pigeon Excreta on Metal Monuments. Conservation. 2(2):233–243. https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation2020015

Google Earth Pro 6.3.6 (2022) City of Sopron 47°41'5.94"N, 16°35'25.11"E,

Bray, J.R., Curtis, J.T. (1957): An ordination of the upland forest communities of southern Wisconsin. Ecological Monographs. 27(4):325–349, https://doi.org/10.2307/1942268

Hammer, Ø., Harper, D.A.T., Ryan, P.D. (2001): PAST: Paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis, Palaeontologia Electronica 4(1):9 http://palaeo-electronica.org/20011/past/issue101.htm

Preble, D., Heppner, F. (1981): Breeding success in an isolated population of Rock Doves. Wilson Bulletin 93(3):357–362.

Hetmański, T. (2004): Timing of breeding in the Feral Pigeon Columba livia f. domestica in Słupsk (NW Poland). Acta Ornithologica. 39:105–110. https://doi.org/10.3161/068.039.0207

Csókás, A. Heltai, M. (2014): Különböző minőségű és kezelésű városi területek madárvilágának összehasonlítása, Vadbiológia 16:151–160

Fontana, S., Sattler, T., Bontadina, F., Moretti, M. (2011): How to manage the urban green to improve bird diversity and community structure. Landscape and Urban Planning 101(3):278–285, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.02.033

Farfán, M. Á., Díaz-Ruiz, F., Duarte, J., Real, R. (2019): Feral pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica) management in low-density urban areas: prevention is better than cure. Urban Ecosystem 22 :1027–1035 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-019-00879-1

Przybylska, K., Haidt, A., Myczko, Ł., Ekner-Grzyb, A., Rosin, Z.M., Kwieciński, Z., Tryjanowski, P., Suchodolska, J., Takacs, V., Jankowiak, L., Tobolka, M., Wasielewski, O., Graclik, A., Krawczyk, A.J., Kasprzak, A., Szwajkowski, P., Wylegala, P., Malecha, A.W., Mizera, T., Skórka, P. (2012): Local and Landscape-Level Factors Affecting the Density and Distribution of the Feral Pigeon Columba livia var. domestica in an Urban Environment. Ornithologica, 47(1):37–45 https://doi.org/10.3161/000164512X653908

Senar, J. C., Montalvo, T., Pascual, J., Peracho, V. (2017): Reducing the availability of food to control feral pigeons: changes in population size and composition. Pest Management Science, 73(2):313–317. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4272

Haag-Wackernagel, D. (2003): The feral pigeon: History – Problems – Solutions., University of Basel, Basel