The Pigeon World's Least Wanted

This week we are going to look at the Top Ten Things (in Canada) that are going to either eat or infect your pigeons.


This list is presented in no particular order because the level of hazard could vary from region to region.



I have included some other threats to pigeons that are more common elsewhere in the world, and a few general tips to prevent your loft from becoming a smorgasboard for predators.

CATS!
and other pets

Yes, unfortunately your pet pidgie could end up a meal for Fluffy or Fido.


"Phew, I have no pets, no need to worry." 


 Think again.


Chances are there could be a neighbour with pets.  Or there is always the possibility of feral or wild cats and dogs. Although you have more to worry about from cats, as they are a bird's natural predators you should nevertheless keep an eye on your dog, ferret, and anything that might have a taste for feathers.


Some preventative measures including putting a bell on your pet's collar, keep cats indoors from dawn to dusk, and any other times birds are most likely to be fed.  You should refrain from putting the birds' food on the ground.  Other people's pet are of course mostly a concern if you live in an urban area.

RACCOONS and other urban threats

The omnivorous raccoon will eat just about anything - including pigeons. With their hyper sensitive front paws and the ability to stand on their hind legs, they can open latches to lofts or pull birds through aviary wire.  Lock your loft and make sure the wire is no bigger than 1/2" by 1/2".   The little masked bandit is mostly active at night, but make sure your loft is secure for all predators at all times. 


Squirrels, which are typically diurnal, have been known to eat birds' eggs; although, this is quite rare and will usually happen in times of dire starvation, like in the dead of the winter.


Skunks - are becoming more common in urban locations, are also omnivorous.  They are more slow moving and are more likely to be a threat to pigeons on the ground.

"Awwwwww. How cute! Something this adorable could not possibly hurt my pigeons!", you might be thinking.


WRONG.


This slinkly little ball of fur is a PIGEON KILLING MACHINE.  Mr. Weasel will decimate your colony of cooing cuties in one night!  Other rural predators include martens, fishers, minks, opposums and rarely, foxes and coyotes.




"So does this mean everything that's going to eat my bird is going to be on four legs?"


No, no, no, no, NO!


Arguably, your pigeons most notorious nemesis is that darling of the conservation circles....

THE PEREGRINE FALCON

The average speed of Falco peregrinus is 40 to 55 km an hour. But when chasing prey, this 'cheetah of the skies' can reach speeds of up to 112 kilometres per hour.
Their mating ritual consists of spirals, deep dives and other feats.  In a single migration, they can travel up to 25 000 km.
Most impressive of all, this acrobatic artist formerly known as the "Duck Hawk" can stoop up to one kilometre in the air and then make a hunting dive to swoop down on prey at speeds up to 320 kilometers an hour.





So if your beloved rock dove descendent runs into Perry is that RIP for Mr. Pidgey?


Probably.

There is not really much you can do.  Except prayer.  If you happen to witness it with children around, you have about ten seconds to blurt out, "well honey its the food chain" or other circle-of-life feel-good phrases before your little ones burst into tears.  Some have tried drawing eagle eyes on the pigeons feathers, or decorating them with sequins, other than make its loft mates demand an encore of "Rocket Man", these silly tricks have not really done much to protect it.  There was even an attempt to make the pigeon taste bad in hopes the peregrines would develop a conditioned taste aversion (kind of like birds and milkweed eating monarch butterflies).








"So, if there are no Peregrines in my area, my birds are safe right?"


Nope.


Unfortunately, the peregrine itself can be prey to.....

HAWKS and OWLS

Not all owls and hawks are bird eaters, and do not have the peregrine's abilities.  Hawks to watch out for include Sparrowhawks, Cooper Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Goshawks.  Other bird of prey that like to snack on pigeons include Golden Eagles and Kestrels.   Unlike the peregrine, hawks and owls will use short bursts of speed and rely on a surprise attack, or will even follow your bird into the loft.  Owls, will do this at night, so that is why it is best not to let your owl out in the evening.  Always have your loft shut, and even locked (more on this later).    Some people have taken to trapping Peregrines and Sparrowhawks. DO NOT DO THIS. Unless you want to be the Endangered Species-killing pariah in your community.

"Is there anything I can do?"

Oddly enough, the old adage "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" is true also in the Pigeon World. Crows and Ravens, although these birds themselves might pick on the weak or injured members of your flock, they also happen to be the natural enemies of hawks and owls. Keeping a few around your property will drive away them and other animals even cats. Crows and Ravens are immensely territorial. One person I know will use unwanted eggs to lure the crows into a nearby field and away from the loft. The Crows are kept away from the loft, and also have kept a local hawk away.

"Well, now I know what to look out for...."


Think again.  Not all threats are something you can SEE.


You also need to protect your bird against....

THE MICROSCOPIC WORLD

Not only do you have to predator proof your loft.  You must also keep it clean from BACTERIA and PARASITES, and vaccinate your pigeons against VIRUSES.  There is a misconception that pigeons are dirty creatures that spread disease, however, generally, most viruses are pigeon specific.  Pigeons have a higher body temperature than humans, and we can't get their diseases and vice versa.  As for diseases that are known to infect other birds like West Nile and Avian Influenza, pigeons rarely contract those diseases.

For a fact sheet on pigeon diseases and how to prevent and treat them - click here.


For General information on keeping your loft clean and preventing outbreaks, and to order your own guide, please visit this website on Biosecurity. 

OTHER PESTS

RODENTS

Except for rats, mice aren't really much of a lethal threat, the main problem to be concerned with: rodents contaminating your birds living quarters with their feces, and eating your pigeon out of loft and home.


Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, pigeons,  both domestic and feral, face danger from the biggest pest of all....

Homo sapiens....


specifically three subtypes...

Homo sapiens birdnappus (THIEVES)

This happens more often in Europe than in Canada. It could be because Pigeon Racing is more popular there, nonetheless, locking a loft can be a common sense prevention technique. Keep a look out for unfamiliar people that hang around your loft. In a string of cases last year in the UK, the targets were high profile fanciers with the birds being sold in the East European markets.



Read here for a case that happened recently in the UK.


Homo sapiens bigguns  (POACHERS)
Are also technically, thieves, however, the pigeons that are birdnapped from the streets of New York City are not only the feral variety, they taken for different purposes - either as food or to serve as unvoluntary participants in live pigeon shoots in rural Pennsylvania.



The New York Times recently published an article about this unfortunate phenonmenom. Click here to read more.

Homo sapiens mischiefkids (VANDALS)

Recently, two boys, not even teenagers were arrested for breaking into a loft and going on a pigeon killing spree in Sumter, South Carolina.


Well, hopefully, I did not scare you too much.  Now as you race to Canadian Tire to purchase hundreds of dollar of surveillance equipment, I will remind you, that the above cases are rare, and a simple padlock can probably deter most thieves and vandals.


Coming Soon:  History of Lofts and How to build a simple loft.

Photo Sources:
Peregrine in Flight:
Kevin Cole from FlickR

Peregrine: Tom Curtis
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=178

Cat:  Luigi Diamanti
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=879

Red-tailed Hawk:  Liz Noffsinger
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=481

Mouse: (John Good, NPS Photo)
http://www.weforanimals.com/

Owl:  Tina Phillips
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=503

Raccoon:
http://www.freepicshot.com/pic.php?id=1750&w=1600&h=1000

Raven:  Rick Leche
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rick_leche/2039887838/


Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine)
Birdfreak.com  from FlickR