Pest Bird Control
Birds Can be a Nuisance in Communities and at Commercial Sites
Pest birds, like starlings, pigeons, and house sparrows, cause a lot of trouble for people. Pest bird control is an ethical dilemma that sparks debate and disagreement.
In these days of species extinction and recovery programs for threatened bird species, reports of mass bird poisonings for pest control make a strange counterpoint. The deaths of thousands of birds in Nevada last December were attributed to an approved eradication effort: a dairy was using poisoned grain to get rid of nuisance starlings that were visiting and contaminating a feed lot. Pigeons and house sparrows are also often the focus of bird eradication or exclusion efforts.
On the one hand, these birds are all introduced species in North America. Apart from being nuisances in human communities, they compete with native bird species for food and habitat. On the other hand, many people would argue that mass poisonings of birds and various other killing methods are inhumane. Many pest control experts advise that removing whatever is attracting the birds, and practicing humane exclusion methods is a better approach.
Pest bird control is an issue sure to spark heated debate. Two things are indisputable: countless people, especially children, are very entertained by watching and feeding pigeons; and a large flock of starlings in synchronized flight is a breathtaking show.
What do you think we should do about pest birds? Join the discussion.
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