Pigeons

About Pigeons
The pigeon is a large bird family that can be found around the globe. These birds have been around for thousands of years. They are respected for their contributions to special ceremonies and for helping deliver military messages during wartime. Pigeons are also known for creating problems in people's daily lives. Feral pigeons today find the ledges of tall buildings as attractive as the cliffs they once inhabited. They are well-adapted to urban environments and can be found in large numbers in cities and towns around the globe.
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These birds can sometimes be a nuisance and leave you with some extra cleaning. Sometimes pigeons can cause serious problems and you may need additional help.

Pigeon Control Professionals
A professional bird control company is the best option to resolve a serious pigeon problem. Pigeons are intelligent and stubborn birds that are difficult to control or eradicate. Pigeon damage can run into the millions each year, and can be more costly than people can afford. We can help you save money by focusing on all aspects of bird control.
It takes patience and knowledge to eliminate pigeons from your home and prevent them coming back. Our bird control experts can help you save time and effort. It can be dangerous to attempt to remove pigeon droppings from your home. You should seek professional assistance to ensure that you get the job done in a safe and timely manner. We are happy to discuss the process with you and address any questions or concerns. You should not take a pigeon problem lightly. We can stop pigeons from running wild in your home before they cause more damage or health problems.

Evolutionary Traits
Pigeons can be more than just any bird. Pigeons are the ultimate survivors. They can fly long distances and cross oceans to find food or roosting places. Pigeons can fly at speeds up to 50-60 miles an hour at an altitude of around 6000 feet. Their wings can be flapped ten times per second, while still maintaining a staggering 600 beats per hour. They can do this for up to 16 hours!

Because of their incredible sense of direction, these birds are also useful in delivering information over long distances. The magnetic fields of the Earth can be sensed by pigeons and used to pinpoint their exact location.

This bird is one of very few that can drink water with their beak as a straw. Most birds must tilt their heads back to let the water flow down their throats.

The crop is a special organ found in the digestive system of pigeons. The crop is the place where many species of birds’ store food for later. However, pigeons use it to secrete milk to provide nutrients for their young.
Diet
Feral pigeons prefer to eat fruits and seeds, which can sometimes be found in gardens and yards. The birds might damage household plants by pecking at them and defecating. Feral pigeons also eat food that has been left on the ground, in dumpsters or trash bins. This is all common in cities and urban areas. The birds can also be fed by restaurants that dispose of stale bread and other spoiled foods.

Behavior
Because they can warn one another of danger faster than when traveling in small groups, feral pigeons travel together in large flocks. They tend to stay where they found their ideal nesting site for the rest of your life. It is important to stop any roosting problem before it becomes serious. Because they are the lowest in the food chain, they are not eager to travel and prefer to stay where they are safe. In captivity, a feral bird can live up to 15 years. Urban feral pigeons only live for three to four years. This is because of increased competition for food, water, and natural predators such as hawks and foxes and even household cats.

Life Cycle
Reproduction
Feral pigeons reproduce very quickly which is why there are so many of them. Female feral pigeons reach sexual maturity at seven months of age and are ready for a mate.
The eggs hatch in 18 days. Females usually lay one to three eggs per group. The average time it takes for chicks to leave the nest is about a month. In winter, it can take up to 45 days. There are usually more eggs laid before the first chick leaves the nest. Although there is not a specific breeding season for chicks, they do tend to breed in the spring and autumn before winter.

Nesting Behavior
Feral pigeons will nest wherever they can find it, with abandoned buildings being their favorite. Feral pigeons live in large flocks and will often roost in abandoned buildings. They will nest in gutters, air conditioners and chimney pots on any property that is unaffected.
Nests made by pigeons can cause serious damage to your property and you. These nests can be placed in an area that blocks roof drainage, which could cause costly damage. They can also block your building's ventilation system and affect airflow. These nests can catch fire and pose an additional threat to the building if they touch it.

Nesting Materials
Initial pigeon nests can be very fragile and poorly constructed. They simply stack twigs, straw, and dried leaves together to create what could be called a general concept of a nest. The nest will get stronger and more solidified over time, as pigeons are the only bird species that doesn't clean or remove droppings before they reuse it. Any material, including feathers, droppings, and sometimes infertile eggs, can be left behind and hardens the nest they have constructed. This allows bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other bugs to flourish. If not addressed immediately, their nests can spread disease widely.
 
Lifespan
Pigeons can leave the nest after about 25 to 30 days of being fledglings. These fledglings spend 1 to 2 days foraging on the ground because they aren't ready to fly yet. They will learn how to fly in two days and then return to their nest. Because pigeons nest throughout the year, fledglings who hatch in winter take longer to learn how to fly and can stay at the nest for up to 45 days.

The parents will lay the next generation of eggs as soon as the fledglings have left the nest. Only 6 months are required for the young pigeons to become fully mature. At that point, they will search out their mate and begin their reproductive cycle. A male pigeon will circle a female while puffing out his chest and tail feathers when he attempts to court her. If the female is interested in him, he will puff out his chest and tail feathers while circling the female. Pigeons are mate for life. Therefore, they can reproduce so quickly.

Feral pigeons live for between 2-6 years. However, some feral pigeons can live up to 10 years. Pigeons can have between 24 and 72 fledglings during their lifetime, which accounts for their rapidly growing numbers.

Pigeon Population Distribution
The rock pigeon is a common species throughout North America. They can be found in most of Canada and Latin America, but they are also found in areas near the coasts.
Pigeons do not migrate, unlike other bird species. They spend most of their lives in the same area unless they are disturbed. Humans can move them away from their nesting area or flock, but their homing ability allows them to return easily to the same location. Feral pigeons can be difficult to control. This can be done either by exclusion or deterrent methods.

Common Pigeon Problems
People think feral pigeons only bothersome birds. But the truth is that they can be dangerous. Feral pigeons pose a risk to humans because of the amount of droppings they leave behind. This bird can produce up to 25 pounds of waste each year. This is not only an eyesore for anyone who sees it, but feral Pigeon droppings can cause damage to your property in many ways.

Acid Pigeon Poop
Due to its high levels of uric acids, pigeon droppings can have an acidity of 3.5-4.0. This pH level is the same as acid rain. It's not surprising that pigeon droppings can cause materials like concrete, steel, stone, iron and steel to deteriorate or become weaker. It can be costly and inconvenient to have to clean up bird poop from a property. It has been proven that large amounts of pigeon excrement can cause damage to vegetation. Pigeons are known to gather and use your property or business as a little haven. They can cause a lot of damage because of their large numbers.

Health Hazards
Birds can carry a variety of diseases and they can transmit them to humans in many ways. E. Coli is commonly associated with uncooked meat, but it can also spread through pigeons. E. Coli can be transmitted to humans through their droppings. Another infection found in pigeon droppings is histoplasmosis, which can be transmitted to humans by breathing. This can lead to severe aches and pains, and it can be dangerous for those with weaker immune systems. Salmonella poisoning can not only be caused by eating the wrong foods but can also result from pigeon droppings and inhaling them. Although this poisoning is usually temporary and will not cause any long-term problems, it can make you feel sick for several days. St. Louis encephalitis can be transmitted from pigeons and can cause nerve inflammation that can lead to death. St. Louis encephalitis virus is transmitted by pigeons, other birds, and you should be cautious around them.

Workplace Safety Hazard
Pigeons are more prevalent in urban areas because they consider high-rise roofs the best place to nest. They are protected from natural predators, and the roof allows for a large flock to nest together. Rooftops are also the place where HVAC units, ventilation, or other essential structures can be found. These areas are where pigeons can nest, spreading diseases and creating fire hazards. Dry droppings and nesting material are highly flammable. They can also get very hot if left close to heating elements such as an HVAC unit.