Listening to a Q&A programme on radio today I was horrified to learn from a phone-in contributor that so many London pigeons may be observed with deformed feet or no feet at all whereby they waddle about on stumps because certain buildings have areas which pigeons are drawn to rest on impregnated or laid down with acid. Any humane person learning this even if recognising 'infestation' and fouling that might be caused by pigeons, nevertheless, must regard this laying down of acid to deter pigeons as wholly barbaric. In any case, the acid deterrent must also effect other birds whether migratory or otherwise. We also know that in recent years birds of prey have taken up residence more and more in our suburban areas and will not be immune from this horrendous method of control aimed so 'uncontrollably' at London pigeons. Perhaps, the RSPB and other 'bird protecting organisations' are already aware of 'acid deterrence' against urban pigeons. I, for one, would want to see this barbaric attack on pigeons, which other birds must also be exposed, outlawed immediately.
I would suspect that the 'phone-in contributor' has got the wrong idea about the cause of these injuries. For one thing, one of the main reasons that pigeon deterrents are used is because the uric acid in their droppings can cause damage to stone work etc - so deliberately applying stronger acids would seem counter productive. It would also already be illegal to use indiscriminate and inhumane methods like this, which could affect non target species.
A more likely explanation which I have seen suggested for these type of injuries, is that the pigeons are getting cotton or similar threads (or garden netting etc) tangled around their feet, and this is leading to the loss of toes/feet/legs because it ends up cutting off circulation. Similar injuries can regularly be seen in Turnstones, which spend much of their time foraging along the tideline amongst washed up debris which includes nylon fishing line.
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I agree with Roy, we have not heard of acid being used as a pigeon deterrent - it would not be legal. The only thing that sounds anything near similar is a gel type substance that is coated over surfaces where pigeons are unwelcome, the soft feel of the gel is worrying for them. I don't know how affective it is but it certainly doesn't involve acid.
The urban landscape is a tough one for wild birds to live in and the litter we create poses a great many hazards to wildlife. Netting that isn't properly fitted is perhaps a likely cause of injured feet with pigeons although some birds can have deformed feet from hatching.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I have frequently noticed pigeons with not only missing toes and feet but also swollen toes and feet, which to me suggests an infection of some soft, perhaps caused by the large quantity of dropping produced by the high numbers of pigeons which can be supported in our cities due to our messy eating habits.
I will endeavour to follow up 'acid answer' to the London LBC radio programme I was listening to about the issue of pigeon deterrence. The guy (a builder) who phoned in seemed confident he knew the reason why pigeons had deformed feet. It could be some rogue element in the building trade does, indeed, use inhumane means to counteract so-called vermin.
There are a lot of pigeons in Birmingham with feet missing but you dont see any other birds like this so it cant be acid can it ?
Roger
I am coming to the conclusion that this 'urban pigeon issue' about their frequent visible deformity should be of great concern. After all, isn't the well-being of our fellow creatures sharing our planet often cited as marking the viability and health of all of us? For example, if butterflies are few and far between haven't we pointed accusingly at the use of rural pesticides? And, who knows what has caused the sudden decline of the urban sparrow? That hasn't been solved has it? Town pigeons be they so reviled as 'rats with wings' are, in fact, "Rock Doves" - which, if trotting wretchedly about our High Streets on stumpy footless legs with feet burned off or with ankles garrotted by suggested discarded plastic filaments points to the homo sapien as prime suspect as preeminent earthly desecrator.
Barnsley has its share. I think the salt from old brick and stone buildings has something to do with it especiall sleeping on ledges etc
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Now I'm not sure if this is just something I picked up the wrong end of the stick from along the way, however I had heard that the deformity in their feet was a due to a disease that was caused by roosting in their own excrement, effectively rotting their feet. It make sense in taht there are many birds crowded onto a dwindling number of ledges and probably in close quarters with other birds but not other species. This could perhaps explain the phenomenon. As aweful as it is, for whatever reason, a natural problem rather than a man made one sits better in my conscience.
Slow down, look closer, appreciatte more.