Is it a pest or not a pest? This is the central question for understanding how to manage the pigeon population in Lisbon, as well as in other cities in the country, such as the capital, where the lives of citizens are increasingly interrupted by the presence of these animals. They are what many call “rats with wings.”
Pigeons, which in past years were part of the rural image of cities, are now a problem that requires urgent measures. These days, it is common for us to sit on the balcony and be accosted by these birds, who seem to have missed the ceremony to swoop into our lives. The usual coffee and pastel di nata, or any other menu that pastry shops offer us for a snack, can become useless in a second. It is increasingly common for pigeons to suddenly land on our table and start pecking at our meal without ceremony.
The terraces double the breeding of pigeons
explains Nuno Vinagre, Director of Urban Hygiene at Lisbon City Council I “The pigeon issue has become increasingly controversial in the city.” This official says that while he receives complaints from many citizens about the increasing number of pigeons in the city, he also receives daily complaints and requests for clarification from animal protection groups and associations, requesting clarifications about the municipality’s activities and its efforts to solve the problem. Contains Colombian population.
The official says that although he does not have specific numbers at the moment, he is aware that the number of pigeons in Lisbon is increasing significantly, following the increase in stands in the city. “Post-Covid has dramatically increased the number of stands and this means that pigeons have excessive access to food.” According to Nuno Vinagre, pigeons, which usually have two breeding cycles per year, now have four cycles, and this, in itself, means a significant increase in the numbers of these birds.
Given this, what should be done? First, intensify efforts to keep the terraces clean of food debris, which is ensured by the person responsible for urban hygiene in Lisbon. Without this, it is impossible to control pigeon numbers and even urban management practices of birth control will have no effect.
Nuno Vinagre explains that CML has several lofts where it supplies food to pigeons in the city and that there it seeks to control the number of birds. “Pigeons are animals of habit and easily get used to feeding in the same places. What we do is mix contraceptives in the corn that feeds these pigeons and in this way we try to control reproduction.” The problem is that as more food becomes available on the terraces, pigeons lose their habit. Going to feeding lofts and ending up with contraception being ineffective.
The ISA study will determine whether pigeon plague is present
The Lisbon City Council recently signed a protocol with the Higher Institute of Agricultural Engineering so that the academic institution can conduct a careful study of the reality of pigeons in the city. The issue is whether or not there is, technically, a plague of pigeons. In this case, the problem must be treated in a manner similar to what is practiced to control other urban pests, such as mice, cockroaches or Asian hornets.
If the number of urban pigeons exceeds one-fifth of the resident population, it means we are facing plague and the CML has a legal obligation to attack the problem with more radical measures. Until then, it will continue to try to control the use of practices used in other cities that “lead to some results,” says the director of the municipality of urban hygiene in Lisbon.
In addition to contraceptive chambers for pigeons, chamber technicians also take other measures, such as replacing the eggs in the nest with plastic eggs, placing nets in ruins and other buildings or using a cannon in places where there is a special concentration of pigeons. Groups of pigeons in a grid are then taken for analysis.
After catching, the pigeons are subjected to a visual analysis to confirm whether they are infected with diseases. Those found to be sick are sent for treatment or slaughter, and others are often handed over to associations that take them to the Alentejo, where they are released. The idea is for them to get used to a more natural environment, away from city life.
When asked if there is any recipe used in another country that could be effective in Portugal, Nuno Vinagre reveals that pigeon population control practices are similar in different countries, but countries like Portugal, with a more temperate climate, have more difficulty making it. These methods are effective.
For now, CML is awaiting the results of the ISA study, which is scheduled to be completed in mid-2024, to figure out how to act in the future.
However, the director of urban hygiene of the capital fears that under the current conditions, if nothing is done, more serious problems may arise in our cities. Many seagulls are now starting to be seen in urban environments, and the city manager tells us, “This is a much more dangerous pest.”
Defend the animals while focusing on the rooms
Those who exercise permanent control over municipal activities are animal protection associations, which constantly flood the services with requests and clarifications about municipal activities.
Reconciling the defense of animals with the defense of citizens living in cities is now the biggest challenge facing mayors. Nuno Vinagre says it is necessary to find agreed solutions, especially because when they are captured by the guns used by the CML, what happens is that more than half of these pigeons are sick.
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