Forever 21’s Pigeon Trapping Prompts Protest

Forever 21’s Pigeon Trapping Prompts Protest

PETA Supporters to Demand That Retailer Stop Cruel, Ineffective Trapping Program

For Immediate Release:
September 6, 2018

Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382

Los Angeles – What:    Forever 21 has reportedly hired a contractor who has been trapping pigeons at its Los Angeles headquarters, prompting PETA supporters to plan to descend on the building on Friday to urge the retailer to stop trapping the birds immediately and instead take steps to make the area unappealing to them.

When:    Friday, September 7, 2 p.m.

Where:    Forever 21 Headquarters, 3880 N. Mission Rd. (at the intersection of N. Mission Road and Baldwin Street), Los Angeles

The pigeon problem appears to be related to a food truck that visits the company’s parking lot. PETA has attempted to work with Forever 21, offering myriad suggestions for peacefully coexisting with the birds and discouraging their presence, including simple measures such as keeping trash contained and secured and dumpsters locked, as well as barring workers and patrons from feeding the birds—but so far, it has refused to take these steps. Trapping initiatives actually backfire, because the resultant spike in the food supply accelerates breeding among survivors and inevitable newcomers, and populations then increase.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that trapping initiatives cause animals immense suffering, as they can quickly succumb to stress, exposure, or injuries sustained in frantic attempts to escape.

“Forever 21’s decision to trap pigeons who are simply trying to eke out an existence is cruel, and such initiatives can tear wild families apart, leaving orphaned young to starve,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on the retailer to nix this methodically cruel trapping and put into motion humane coexistence measures instead.”

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird 

deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row. 


Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca


Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard

Town to purchase pigeon traps

Town to purchase pigeon traps

Kirkland Lake Council has taken another step in trying to control the town’s pigeon problem.

At their meeting of April 16th Council agreed to proceed with purchasing four traps for residents to borrow with deposit. The cost of a pigeon trap is $65 (holds 10-15 pigeons).

In a report to council staff stated “The pigeon population is increasing in the town . Pigeons mate for life and a pair can breed up to 12 fledglings per year. Staff have increasing been receiving calls and emails from residents asking for help with neighbours who are feeding the pigeons, encouraging the flock to flourish and remain in the area.

Pigeon feces are highly acidic and so corrosive that it can cut a roof’s average life span in half.

Residents’ properties are being damaged.

Orkin Canada gives the following tips for prevention and control:

 Eliminate sources of food, including bird feeders intended for other species

 Repair and seal any damage to the exterior of buildings where they can build nests

 Place fake/statuettes of predatory birds near ledges

 Create an unwelcome environment with loud noises and/or water sprays to scare them away

“Staff also met with the Timiskaming Health Unit) to discuss the health concerns related to pigeons. From their standpoint, pigeons are not a health problem. There would need to be several inches of droppings in a very restricted area in order for it to pose a health concern. They insist that feeding restrictions do help, however the enforcement must be focused on the places they reside (i.e. openings in buildings/structures that encourage roosting).

“In late 2018, a By-law was passed prohibiting residents from feeding the pigeons. The Ontario Provincial Police have been working diligently with the Town to target problem areas and has charged individuals under this By-law as a result. Council has requested that further options be researched by staff and brought to Council for consideration.

““(The) Kirkland Lake Fish and Game Association in Kirkland Lake recommended that we purchase traps that could be lent out to residents for trapping. Individuals trapping the birds require a small game hunting license in order to do so

“Should Council not wish to encourage the killing of pigeons, there is the option of trapping and relocating. Research has told us however that pigeons are capable of returning to their home if they are within a 600 km radius. There is concern as to who will be responsible for bringing the pigeons 600 km away and also, whether the municipality we are bringing the pigeons to will be okay with us relocating them there.

“In staff’s opinion, eradication of the pigeons is recommended. There are a few problem areas that should be resolved immediately in order to reduce the effect the pigeons are having on surrounding neighbours and their property.”

During the discussion Councillor Dennis Perrier stated he has heard from some citizens who have said they do not want the pigeons killed. Perrier added if people do decide to go that route, he hopes it will be done in the most humane way possible.

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird 

deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row. 


Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca


Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard

SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT PIGEON DROPPINGS?

SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT PIGEON DROPPINGS?

First, let me say that, unless you are up on the roof actually shoveling pigeon droppings, your risk of catching a disease from them is slim. Pigeons definitely can transmit diseases through their droppings, but that usually only happens in specific and rather uncommon situations involving large accumulations of droppings.

HISTOPLASMOSIS IS RARE BUT CAN BE SERIOUS

The pigeon-transmitted disease to be most concerned about is histoplasmosis, a fungal disease that affects the human respiratory tract and in rare cases, can be fatal. Histoplasmosis is spread to people when they breathe in fungal spores from pigeon droppings that have been disturbed, usually during cleaning or construction activities. The actual incidence of histoplasmosis is hard to determine since most people with the disease have flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Histoplasmosis spores grow on piles of bird or bat droppings that have been accumulating for years. Lesser amounts of droppings on exposed surfaces that are cleaned up periodically pose little risk. Certain workers like chimney cleaners, bridge inspectors, building renovators, and even pest control technicians are at some risk when working around accumulated pigeon droppings. These workers should always use precautions and wear respirators when working in roost sites.

DROPPINGS AREN’T THE ONLY CONCERN WITH PIGEONS

This doesn’t mean that having pigeons roosting on your building is a good thing. If your manager isn’t concerned about the disease risk associated with pigeons, he might need to be informed about the other risks associated with pigeon droppings. Droppings are unsightly and odorous, they deteriorate surfaces like roofs and concrete increasing maintenance costs, they kill vegetation below, they pit the paint on cars below, and they can be slippery for pedestrians, which means a liability risk for the property.

There are lots of ways to keep pigeons off of and away from buildings. Have your manager give Colonial Pest a call for a complete inspection and evaluation.

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird 

deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row. 


Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca


Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard

HOW TO GET PIGEON OUT OF YOUR ATTIC

HOW TO GET PIGEON OUT OF YOUR ATTIC

Being that pigeons are indiscriminate eliminators of all kind of waste they are always seen gathering around the areas where people live. This bird normally splatters droppings and always drops liquid wherever they traveled to. More so, pigeons do not care about cleanliness and always contaminate water. The wastes from these birds are seen to be corrosive which affect everywhere there is their droppings. But the problem with Rhode Island pigeon has resulted to reason why people do not want to have the birds around them.

Some the Ways to Get Pigeon Out Of Your Attic
There are many ways to get pigeons out of your attic but the Rhode Island method you applied will determine the result you will get. One of the most effective ways to remove pigeon from your attic is by spicing things up by adding some spices on your attic. Really, whole pigeons do not like spices and sprinkling cayenne pepper, cinnamon pepper and other will help to scare pigeon away from attic. You have to ensure that you are generous with the spices and repeat the application of the spices.

Get Pigeon Out Of Your Attic by Using String Tied One End to Another
Pigeon always like to relax when they gather in a particular place. For that reason, preventing them from getting a well relaxed place will prevent them from occupying a place in your attic. For that reason, what you simply need do in order to avoid Rhode Island pigeon from taking a place in your attic is to use string and tie one to another of a sport where the pigeons normally like to roost. This will prevent the birds from finding a place to balance themselves while they gather in your attic. You can easily do this using waterproof string and you will achieve the result you have been expecting.

Remove Pigeon Out Of Your Attic Using Sticky Chemicals
Pigeons are among the birds that normally love to feel comfortable where they love to perch. For that reason, if you can make it difficult for them to enjoy comfort in a place they gather you will be able to get rid of pigeon from your attic. Simply by spraying sticky chemicals that will make it difficult for the Rhode Island birds to perch you will get the birds away. You will easily buy sticky chemicals you need to scare birds away from your home when you check out the stores near your area.

Use Anti-Roosting Spike Strips to Get Pigeon Out Of Your Attic
Apart from applying sticking chemical to your attic when you want to scare Rhode Island pigeon away from your attic, you can also do same with anti-roosting spike strips. You can easily buy the spike stripes on the hardware store near your street. The setup method for the anti-roosting spikes strips will depend on the manufacturer. For that reason, you have to find out more about the setup method of your anti-roosting spike strip when you consult the manufacturer of the product. You can equally learn the set up tips from the Providence hardware store where you buy the spike strips.

Repel Pigeon with the Use of Natural Pigeon Repellent with Ease
There are natural and store-bought pigeon repellents which you can use to get pigeon away from your attic without passing through stress. One of the natural ways to repel pigeon from your attic is to spray water on the pigeons using water from the garden hose. The Rhode Island pigeons will be uncomfortable to stay in your Providence attic when you frequently spray the birds with water out of your garden hose. You can also exclude pigeon from getting into y our attic by repairing your home and also rebuilding your fences. There are also other kinds of repellent you can easily use to get pigeon away from your home and attic but most of the methods are not really safe. That is why you have to make sure that you select the most suitable and most efficient way to repel the Rhode Island pigeons that have been affecting your home.

Eliminate Food Sources to Get Pigeons Out Of Your Attic
Food sources are among the things that can easily attract Providence pigeons to your attic. For that reason, if you want to get pigeons out of your attic one of the best ways to do that is through removal of food sources. The food sources include grass, barriers as well as cat and dog foods. For that reason, you are going to get the Rhode Island pigeon out of your attic by simply removing all the things that will attract pigeons from your home. These and more are the easier way to prevent pigeon from entering and getting into your home at any point in time.

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird 

deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row. 


Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca


Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

How to Get Rid of Pigeons

Pigeons can present a number of problems and hazards, especially when they congregate in large numbers. Their droppings are not only unsightly, they are also dangerous and corrosive. In this post we look at practical steps that can be taken to get rid of problematic pigeons.

Pigeon Pest Control and the Law

Before considering various techniques to eradicate the presence of pigeons its important to be aware of the UK law regarding wild birds. This is legislated by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and detailed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Chapter 69).

This states that wild birds, along with their nests and eggs, are protected by UK law making it illegal to destroy or interfere with them, except under licence. If a licence is obtained, non-lethal methods of pigeon pest control should always be considered first as lethal methods have been found to be totally ineffective. Killing off existing pest pigeons simply reduces the competition for food and shelter prompting the remaining pigeons to increase their breeding rates to compensate.

People troubled by pigeons building nests and laying eggs often ask: How can I remove a pigeon’s nest? While the humane solution may appear to be relocating the nest to a more suitable location, the nest and eggs are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act from 1981, so moving them is against the law.

What is a Feral Pigeon?

Feral pigeons are all descended from domestic pigeons which were originally bred from rock doves whose natural habitat is seaside cliffs and mountains. Rock doves, domestic pigeons and feral pigeons are all the same species.

People often want to know if Feral Pigeons and Wood Pigeons are the same. Wood pigeons are the largest amongst the pigeon family. They are fatter than feral pigeons and prefer a diet of leaves, berries and fruits. They also prefer to construct their nests in quiet woodland and park areas and therefore don`t tend to become pests.

Where do Pigeons Nest?

Feral pigeons have readily adapted their nesting habits from the seaside cliffs and mountains, preferred by rock doves, to our urban environments. The birds will roost and nest on almost any horizontal surface that provides a small amount of shelter. Ledges, balconies, rooftops and empty buildings are all typical nesting sites.

Feral pigeons tend to build their flimsy platform nests from twigs but will also use whatever is available, such as rubbish and pieces of plastic. Peak breeding season is between March and July but nest building will often begin in February.

How Many Eggs Does a Pigeon Lay?

Its interesting to note that pigeons are monogamous and will mate for life. Female pigeons reach sexual maturity after just 7 months and 8 to 12 days after mating will lay between 1 and 3 eggs, typically 2. The eggs are incubated for around 19 days and the hatched pigeon chicks (squabs) are fledged and leave the nest after around 30 to 37 days.

Pigeons can breed at any time of year but peak reproduction takes place in the spring and autumn.

How Long Does a Pigeon Live For?

In captivity pigeons have been known to live as long as 15 years. But in urban environments a pigeon lifespan of around 2 to 3 years is more common.

Do Pigeons Carry Diseases?

People often want to know, are pigeons dirty and do they carry disease? Pigeons can carry a range of diseases that include salmonellosis, tuberculosis and ornithosis which can potentially infect humans. In fact pigeons are known to carry in excess of 60 pathogens which is common in wild birds.

Dead pigeon caracasses, pigeon droppings and nesting materials can also contain a variety of mites and insects which may cause disease, skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Does Pigeon Poop Damage Buildings?

Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, dangerously slippery and infectious they can also damage buildings. The acid content in pigeon droppings can lead to the deterioration of soft stone, causing long term damage. Accumulated pigeon droppings can be difficult and expensive to remove without causing further damage.

Pigeon Control Methods

It should be noted that one of the most effective ways to restrict the size of pigeon flocks in any location is to control the availability of food. Limited food supply will reduce the number of new birds arriving at a site and suppress breeding.

As noted, under UK law, shooting pigeons isn’t allowed without a licence. Similarly, baiting and poisoning pest pigeons isn’t allowed and can present risks for other animals. Trapping problem pigeons is another tactic that might be considered but is recognised as ineffective and expensive and should only ever be carried out by professionals.

What is the Best Pigeon Deterrent?

To avoid the health risks associated with pigeons along with the mess and potential property damage they cause we often need to discourage and prevent them from from roosting or nesting on or around our homes and property. Legal restrictions mean that only humane, harmless techniques can be employed, so what are the best available pigeon deterrents?

What Do Pigeons Hate?

As noted, pigeons avoid areas where there is poor food supply so this needs to be considered. They also dislike the presence of birds of prey and they don’t like strong aromas such as cinnamon or hot pepper. And like all birds, pigeons are sensitive to fire and can see the ultraviolet light emitted by burning materials which they will naturally avoid.

Minimising the availability of food combined with spraying areas with strong smells can be an effective deterrent tactic.

Pigeon Repellent Gel

Pigeon repellent gel is also known as Bird Free Fire Gel and Bird Free Optical Gel. Its an extensively proven material that prevents all birds, including pigeons, from nesting and roosting where they are not welcome.

The gel is formulated from natural oils and food grade ingredients which, in combination, emit UV light that looks like a naked flame to birds. Locating small containers of this exceptional material in areas where pigeons like to land and roost has an immediate effect. Birds see the gel as a naked flame and their natural instinct is to keep away. In addition, the gel is formulated with a mild peppermint and black pepper aroma which acts as a further deterrent.

Bird Free Fire Gel is available in convenient preloaded dishes along with fixings to securely attach the dishes to pipes, railings and other perches favoured by pigeons.

Anti Bird Netting

Anti-bird netting is also known as pigeon netting, bird control netting or simply bird netting. Netting provides a highly effective anti-bird barrier but is often considered unsightly. Its commonly used to protect:

  • Fruit trees and bushes
  • Balconies
  • Outdoor eating areas
  • Courtyards
  • Patios
  • Signage
  • Car parking areas

Bird Deterrent Pigeon Wire

Parallel wire bird-deterrent systems provide an alternative to bird netting. Lengths of parallel steel wires are installed in areas to which pigeons are naturally attracted, such as rooftops, balconies and eves. Pigeons will seek alternative areas to roost and build their nests when they encounter these wires.

Anti Bird Spikes

Anti bird spikes are a well known, highly effective anti bird device. They are simply strips of harmless spikes mounted in areas where pest pigeons like to land. When they encounter the spikes, they steer clear.

Anti pigeon spikes5 are made from lightweight polycarbonate while anti-seagull spikes are made from tougher stainless steel that can withstand seagull beaks. Gutter fixing clips make it quick and easy to install these effective pigeon deterrent spikes where pigeons like to perch.

Birds of Prey and Decoys

As previously noted, pigeons don’t like dominant birds of prey and will avoid their territories. Using birds of prey for pest control is marketed as a green, natural and humane tactic as it is considered to be non-lethal. But since raptors cannot be trained not kill the target species and the majority of raptors used for pigeon control are not their natural predators this technique shouldn’t really be considered as ‘natural’. Another important consideration when using birds of prey to dispel problematic pigeons is that it`s generally employed for short term bird clearance, for example at football grounds and sports arenas.

A genuinely safe, humane alternative is to use replica raptors. Replicas of hawks, falcons, owls and other birds of prey have long been used as bird repellents in a variety of situations.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons from Your Roof

If you are troubled by pigeons congregating on a rooftop a variety of techniques can be used to keep them away. As noted, if the birds have created nests and laid eggs you will need to wait until the chicks have fledged before taking steps to keep the pest pigeons away.

Containers filled with pigeon repellent fire gel distributed around the rooftop areas favoured by the birds has been found to be highly effective and easy to install.

Anti bird netting covering the whole rooftop area is highly effective but can be tricky to install and must be maintained. Similarly, parallel anti bird wires can be effective along ledges, guttering and rooftop edges. And anti-bird spikes work well when mounted along favoured perch areas.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons from Your Balcony

People like to make the most of their balconies, especially in the warmer months. But pest pigeons can turn balconies into dangerous health hazards.

One of the most effective techniques to protect a balcony from pest birds is to shroud the whole balcony in anti bird netting. But obviously many people will consider this tactic to be unsightly, especially during the warmer months when they want to use their balconies. The deployment of bird repellent fire gel in small dishes, distributed along the balcony rail and wherever birds are inclined to land, has been found to be highly effective in keeping balconies free from pest pigeons.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons Under Solar Panels

More and more homes are installing solar power with rooftop mounted solar panels. These installations naturally attract the attention of pest pigeons who are seeking safe locations to build their nests and raise their young.

Bird Free Fire gel has been successfully deployed around many solar panel installations, effectively preventing problem pigeons from establishing their nests.

Source

Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird 

deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.

Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row. 


Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca


Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard

Large pigeon lost to science for 140 years rediscovered in Papua New Guinea

Large pigeon lost to science for 140 years rediscovered in Papua New Guinea

A team of scientists and conservationists has rediscovered the elusive black-naped pheasant-pigeon, a large, ground-dwelling pigeon that only lives on Fergusson Island, a rugged island in the D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago off eastern Papua New Guinea. Like other pheasant-pigeons, the black-naped pheasant-pigeon has a broad and laterally compressed tail, which along with its size, makes it closely resemble a pheasant. The photographs and video are the first time the long-lost bird has been documented by scientists since 1882, when it was first described. Ornithologists know very little about the species but believe that the population on Fergusson is very small and decreasing.

Pigeon Patrol fake owl

The research team photographed the pheasant-pigeon with a remote camera trap at the end of a month-long search of Fergusson.

“When we collected the camera traps, I figured there was less than a one percent chance of getting a photo of the black-naped pheasant-pigeon,” said Jordan Boersma, postdoctoral researcher at Cornell Lab of Ornithology and co-leader of the expedition team. “Then as I was scrolling through the photos, I was stunned by this photo of this bird walking right past our camera.”

The expedition team–which included local Papua New Guineans working with Papua New Guinea National Museum, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy–arrived on Fergusson in early September 2022. They spent a month traveling around the island, interviewing local community members to identify locations to set up camera traps in hopes of finding the pheasant-pigeon. The steep, mountainous terrain on Fergusson Island made searching for the bird extremely challenging.

“It wasn’t until we reached villages on the western slope of Mt. Kilkerran that we started meeting hunters who had seen and heard the pheasant-pigeon,” said Jason Gregg, conservation biologist and a co-leader of the expedition team. “We became more confident about the local name of the bird, which is ‘Auwo,’ and felt like we were getting closer to the core habitat of where the black-naped pheasant-pigeon lives.”

The expedition was the first-ever camera trapping study conducted on Fergusson Island. The team placed 12 camera traps on the slopes of Mt. Kilkerran, Fergusson’s highest mountain, and deployed an additional eight cameras in locations where local hunters had reported seeing the pheasant-pigeon in the past.

“When we finally found the black-naped pheasant-pigeon, it was during the final hours of the expedition,” said Doka Nason, the member of the team who set up the camera trap that eventually photographed the lost bird. “When I saw the photos, I was incredibly excited.”

A local hunter named Augustin Gregory in the village of Duda Ununa west of Mt. Kilkerran provided a breakthrough lead on where to find the bird. Gregory reported seeing the pheasant-pigeon on multiple occasions in an area with steep ridges and valleys and described hearing the bird’s distinctive calls, which is similar to other species of pheasant-pigeons.

Following Gregory’s advice, the team set up cameras in an area of dense forest. A camera placed on a ridge at 3,200 feet (1000 meters) near the Kwama River above Duda Ununa eventually captured the black-naped pheasant-pigeon walking on the forest floor two days before the team was scheduled to leave the island.

Several members of the team have attempted to find the black-naped pheasant pigeon before. A two-week survey in 2019 by Boersma, Gregg and Nason didn’t find any traces of the bird, though it did gather reports from local hunters of a bird that could have been the pheasant-pigeon. The results from that survey helped to determine locations for the team to search in 2022.

“The communities were very excited when they saw the survey results, because many people hadn’t seen or heard of the bird until we began our project and got the camera trap photos,” said Serena Ketaloya, a conservationist from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. “They are now looking forward to working with us to try to protect the pheasant-pigeon.”

The team’s findings suggest that the pheasant-pigeon is likely to be extremely rare. The rugged and inaccessible forest where they rediscovered the species could be the last stronghold for the black-naped pheasant-pigeon on Fegusson.

The expedition was supported by American Bird Conservancy and the Search for Lost Birds, a collaboration between BirdLife International, American Bird Conservancy and Re:wild. The Search for Lost Birds identified the pheasant-pigeon for an expedition after a global review revealed it was one of a few bird species that have been lost to science for more than a century.

The full expedition team consisted of Jason Gregg; Jordan Boersma; Doka Nason of Porotona village; Serena Ketaloya of Porotona village; Elimo Malesa of Basima village; Bulisa Iova from Papua New Guinea National Museum; Cosmo Le Breton, University of Oxford; and John C. Mittermeier from American Bird Conservancy. The expedition was funded by a grant from Cosmo Le Breton to American Bird Conservancy and the Search for Lost Birds.

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