According to biologists, each of the many hundreds of thousands of pigeons produces more than 12 kg of droppings annually, and the lifespan of urban birds ranges from six to eight years. The numerous hordes of ubiquitous pigeons are a problem for many cities around the world. In each one, they try to solve it in various ways, but so far without result. For example, the New York City Council proposed banning the feeding of pigeons, and those who dare to break the rule would be fined a substantial amount, up to $1,000. City Council member Simcha Felder put it very clearly: 'If someone wants so badly to feed pigeons, then let them take them home, and let them poop in the living room.' In his opinion, reducing the amount of easily accessible food should somewhat reduce the population of birds that 'do whatever they want in the city, and no one tries to stop them.'
It should be noted that New York authorities had previously tried to solve the problem of pigeon numbers. For example, following their colleagues from Los Angeles, they installed speakers in the city that broadcast recorded cries of falcons. But this method proved ineffective: the birds were so accustomed to city noise that they simply paid no attention to the new sound. They also took harsher measures - stringing high-voltage wires in places favored by pigeons. This 'electrification' of New York subway fences bore fruit, but still did not completely solve the problem of bird numbers.
But the New York Department of Environmental Conservation has found another, more humane way to combat the uncontrolled reproduction of pigeons. The proposed system involves the use of contraceptives. The drug that prevents the appearance of chicks will simply be mixed into pigeon feed.
Not lagging behind their American colleagues are the authorities of the ancient Spanish city of Cadiz, who have banned an old tradition - after the wedding, upon leaving the church, to shower the newlyweds with rice. The municipality justifies its actions by saying that rice is an excellent food for the excessively proliferated pigeons in the city. In order not to lose the ancient custom symbolizing the prosperity of the newlyweds, the authorities proposed replacing the grains with paper confetti. Wedding organizers who risk using rice will face a fine of €300. The head of the Venice police, Marco Agostini, also dreams of eradicating the tradition of throwing rice over the newlyweds during wedding ceremonies. In addition, he intends to ban the sale of grain in St. Mark's Square, which tourists use to feed the birds. 'The square is not a dovecote,' the police chief said in response to protests from grain sellers and animal rights activists.
But in Paris, where about 80,000 pigeons live, the birds will soon be placed in specially built dovecotes. In this way, the city authorities will try to control the reproduction of the feathered creatures. Specialists intend to keep alive only the first brood of each pigeon pair, and from subsequent broods to keep only two eggs, destroying the rest. Consequently, one pair of pigeons will produce only one full offspring per year instead of six to eight.