City pigeons and wild pigeons
Problems with city pigeons:
Feral pigeons populate our cities in large numbers. Public buildings, residential buildings, historical buildings, monuments, ledges, and window sills are popular meeting places and nesting sites for large pigeon populations.
City pigeons cause a variety of property damage to buildings. Pigeon droppings damage houses, roofs, and facades. Nesting material clogs drains and can lead to significant water damage to buildings. Pigeon contamination causes millions of euros in damage to buildings every year.
Pigeons are a source of damage and hygiene problems in numerous businesses. A heavy pigeon infestation can lead to lost sales and damage to a company's image. Inventories and open production areas become contaminated. Technical equipment can be damaged by bird droppings, resulting in significant maintenance and downtime costs. Removing pigeon droppings also incurs considerable cleaning and repair expenses.
Feral pigeons (Columba domestica) are found worldwide year-round wherever people are present. These birds originally nested on cliffs or in caves. Because pigeons are flock birds, they are rarely found alone. The biggest nuisance caused by pigeons is the pollution from their droppings. A single pigeon produces approximately 10 to 15 kg of droppings per year.
To distinguish them from city pigeons, we also show the protected wild pigeon species (G)
City pigeon (Columba domestica)
Body length: up to 34 cm, Shape: Similar to a rock dove, Weight: 300 g - 400 g, City pigeons lay 2 eggs per clutch, 2 to 8 breeding seasons per year. Plumage: Highly variable, Diet: Grains, seeds. Pigeons occur in many color variations such as brown, white, or speckled. City pigeons have a strong attachment to their birthplace. They do not nest in trees; their nests are simple. They require overhangs and covered areas to protect their brood. City pigeons often only live 2-3 years.
Rock Dove (Columba livia) (G)
The head and neck are dark grey with a typical turquoise sheen, the upperparts are light grey with two dark stripes on the wings. The underside of the wings is white. It is the ancestor of the domestic and city pigeon. It has only one or two broods per year, each with two eggs. The nest is made of grasses and twigs; it nests in rock crevices and cavities and feeds on seeds, grains, and plants. Its habitat is the Mediterranean region, extending to the Caspian Sea, Scotland, Ireland, the Shetland Islands, and the Faroe Islands.
Wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) (G)
The largest pigeon in Europe is a migratory bird with a uniformly grey upperparts and striking white patches on the sides of its neck. A typical woodland dweller.
Size: 42 cm, wingspan: 78 cm, weight: 580 g.
Breeding season: April to August, 2 to 3 broods per year.
The young are initially fed crop milk by both parents. Young birds without a white neck patch.
Every autumn, hundreds of thousands of wood pigeons migrate south. However, they are becoming resident birds in our region. Life expectancy is up to 15 years.
Stock Dove (Columba oenas) (G)
The stock dove is a bird species belonging to the pigeon family. It is one of the five dove species found in Central Europe. Its body length is 28–32 cm, and its wingspan is 60–66 cm. The stock dove is about the same size as a feral pigeon. Males weigh 300 g, females 270 g. Its plumage is bluish-grey, without any white markings on the rump or wings. The sides of the neck are glossy green, and the breast is pale orange. It lays two eggs in tree cavities.
Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) (G)
It originates from Asia and has spread throughout Europe. Size: 31 to 33 cm, about the same size as a feral pigeon.
However, it is lighter and longer, giving it a more delicate appearance. Wingspan: 47 to 55 cm, weight: 150 to 200 grams. It lives in gardens and parks and prefers coniferous trees. The nest, containing 1 to 2 eggs, is built high in the tree.
Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) (G)
Bird of the Year 2020: The European Turtle Dove, body length up to 29 centimeters, weight 160 g. The female is smaller.
Breeding: May to August, 2 eggs, only one brood per year.
Turtle Doves are long-distance migrants. They overwinter in the Mediterranean region and Africa. Turtle Doves are considered a symbol of happiness and love.