Distribution:
(See Map Below) Found throughout the United Stated including
Hawaii.
Status in Nebraska: Feral pigeons can be found near establishments
throughout the state of Nebraska.
Origin:
Native to Europe, North Africa, and southwestern Asia.
Introduction to U.S.:
Arrived in North America with European settlers in the 17th-century
for food and religious purposes.
Characteristics:
Feral pigeons have a dark bluish-gray head, neck, and chest with glossy
yellowish, greenish, and reddish-purple iridescence along its neck and
wing feathers. Females tend to show less iridescence than the males. The
bill is dark grayish-pink. Their lifespan averages 3-5 years in the wild.
Captive pigeons can live for 15 years but some have been known to live
for up to 35 years.
Feral pigeons make their nests along rocky seaside cliffs, in old farm
buildings in rural agriculture areas, grain elevators, bridges, and skyscrapers.
Impacts:
Feral pigeons carry diseases that are harmful to humans. The
most common disease passed from birds to man is Psittacosis but over 40
more diseases can be passed from the feral pigeon to humans. Fecal
damage causes extreme damage to buildings and monuments.
Control Methods:
Netting-off breeding sites, shooting, trapping, habitat modification,
frightening, repellents, toxicants, and nest removal are all effective
control methods of feral pigeons.