'Flying Rats' Swoop & Poop

City Councilmember Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) within a few weeks plans to introduce legislation to ban pigeon feeding and impose a $1,000 fine on anyone illegally fattening the birds, commonly known as "the rodent air force" or "rats with wings". Acceding to a report issued by Felder, pigeons excrete an average 25 pounds of droppings each year. Ammonia and uric acids in pigeon droppings can turn to salt if not properly removed. Dried droppings wet again by rain, can rust steel and corrode infrastructure. Also, droppings and nest debris buildup can obscure potential structural problems in bridges and other structures.

Pigeons were first brought to North America as domesticated birds by European settlers. Their wild descendants "swoop and poop" over New York City today. Although seeds and grains constitute a pigeon's natural diet, urban birds have adapted to eat anything available to them- avian urban omnivores.

While pigeons are often described as disease-ridden, the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene does not consider them a major danger. The average New Yorker is not at risk of catching any diseases from pigeons or their droppings. However, cases of pedestrians slipping on fresh droppings have been documented. On several occasions, such accidents have led to lawsuits.

Felder released a report outlining several other potential solutions to the problem of pigeons employed by cities around the world that confront the issue. Los Angeles has begun a trial use of pigeon birth control, London Mayor Ken Livingstone banned pigeon feeding in Trafalgar Square, closed down official feed vendors at the Central London site and sent hawks to infiltrate and scare those pigeons still lingering, and pigeon populations in Basel, Switzerland have been reduced by fooling the birds into thinking they have reproduced by a technique that involves stealing their eggs and replacing them with fakes. New York City should look into these methods, Felder said, and suggested creating an organized effort that would be led by a Pigeon Czar. He also suggested that open trash cans also be eliminated, further reducing pigeon food sources.

The Sanitation Department would be charged with the authority to issue tickets to people whom they see feeding the birds, Felder said.

Felder announced he would introduce

the legislation within the next few weeks on Monday, November 12. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a separate news conference Monday sounded amenable to the idea of cutting out or at least making their food supply smaller.

Many animal welfare groups support pigeon control because of the theory that overpopulation is unfair and cruel. One such group, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), issued a statement supporting Felder's proposal.

"As an advocate for all animals, with a special interest in the animals located in our own city, we support this provision for a variety of reasons," the society declared. "The pigeon population is well known amongst New Yorkers and not usually very well received. Therefore, while we appreciate these creatures as part of our regional landscape, we also acknowledge that it is important to maintain their population so that they do not impede the health and sanctity of our city.

"By nature, pigeons are extremely resourceful cliff-dwelling birds, who are particularly adept at securing nesting places among the many high-rises and bridges throughout the five boroughs. This hardy constitution enables the birds to breed prolifically. As such, New York has become the home to an astronomical number of these creatures.

"In order to curb the extensive pigeon population, the city has adopted a number of solutions to maintain a healthy environment. Key among these provisions is the issuing of summonses to those found feeding the pigeons in violation of Health Code regulations. Providing food for pigeons not only causes an influx of birds to the area, but can also attract unwanted rodents and insects as well, thereby contaminating an area in a very short amount of time.

"Councilman Felder's proposal is one that will ensure the pigeons will not be encouraged to reproduce by otherwise well-meaning citizens. We hope to work directly with the councilman in order to ensure that the animals and people of New York City are treated with the respect and dignity they so deserve."