URBAN BIRD CHALLENGES

Urban birds cause major headaches for building and public amenity managers across the UK in complaints, direct and indirect damage, and public health and safety, not to mention cleaning and maintenance costs.

Urban gull populations have increased markedly in recent years, adding to the already significant problem of feral pigeons in and around public and retail buildings, houses and offices, warehouses and factories, bridges and monuments, sports and entertainment facilities, and transport hubs.

Although starling populations which caused serious problems in the past have declined markedly over the last 30 years, they can still be problematic in some situations.

House sparrows and other small birds can also cause particular difficulties for food manufacturers, processors and retailers.

Bird	Key Considerations
Pigeons	Pigeons have adapted extremely well to the urban environment, feeding in territorial flocks of 50-400 individuals. Pigeons thrive on food scraps and spillages, and congregate wherever these are readily available or provided deliberately by members of the public. Ledges, girders and holes provide ideal sites for their crude nests, which are made from debris and can accumulate a considerable thickness of droppings. Under favourable conditions pigeons will breed throughout the year, rearing 4-7 broods of two chicks on each occasion. They may lay more eggs before the previous young have fledged.
Gulls	Gulls used to be more associated with coastal areas, but Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed gulls are now commonly found in many inland locations. Approximately twice the size of pigeons and very robust, gulls roost and feed in large flocks, often flying great distances to scavenge at landfill sites and other areas where food waste is readily accessible. Herring and Lesser Black-backed gulls breed and nest in rooftop colonies to which they return year after year. They normally lay a single clutch of three eggs between May and August, but can re-lay several times if eggs are removed.
Starlings	In winter starlings roost in very large flocks, creating extensive problems wherever they choose to settle. Smaller, dispersed flocks can be a problem feeding on farms where they can contaminate animal feeds. Starlings tend to nest in holes in trees and buildings, as well as in loft spaces where nests can be a source of insect infestation and microbes. They generally produce two broods of 4-6 chicks each season, in early April and again in mid May.
House Sparrows	Their small size and great agility makes house sparrows particularly difficult to exclude from buildings where they are very adept scavengers, pecking holes in bagged or boxed foods as well as feeding on almost any food spillage. Whole populations can live within food premises, nesting in holes and on ledges and rearing 2-3 broods of 4-6 young a year.

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