Common Nuisance Birds

Seagull

Most gulls nest in colonies on sand and gravel-covered shorelines and islands. Gulls cause damage to agricultural crops and threaten human safety at and near airports. They are involved in more collisions with aircraft than any other bird group because they are numerous and widely distributed. The presence of gull roosts near reservoirs increases their potential for transmitting diseases to human populations. Gulls occasionally cause a nuisance when they nest on rooftops and seek food from people eating out of doors. Gulls are classified as migratory species and thus are protected by federal and, in most cases, state laws.

Pigeon

Pigeons are highly dependent on humans to provide them with food and sites for roosting, loafing, and nesting. The pigeon is now the most common bird pest associated with people. Breeding may occur at all seasons, but peak reproduction occurs in the Spring and Fall, and they mate for life.

Droppings create slick surfaces hazardous to walk or climb on; droppings deface and accelerate deterioration of buildings. Droppings may carry and spread diseases to people and livestock. They are known to carry or transmit pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, Newcastle disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, and salmonella food poisoning. . Hematophagous (bloodsucking insects) fleas, ticks and mites, fabric pests and pantry pests inhabit nests. They are not protected by federal and in most cases state law does not protect them.

Starling

Robin sized; dark with light speckles on feathers their bill is yellow during reproduction cycle (January to June) and dark other times. Outside of breeding season, starlings feed and roost together in flocks. They cause health concerns (fungal respiratory disease histoplasmosis), filth, noise and odor. They are not protected by federal and in most cases state law does not protect them.

Barn Swallow

Arrival dates vary with weather conditions; in general they reach the Northwest mid-April to early June to begin breeding. Swallows have a homing tendency toward previous nesting sites and may reuse a nest in successive years. In the United States, all swallows are classified as migratory insectivorous birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Swallows are also protected by state regulations. It is illegal for any person to take, possess, transport, sell or purchase swallows or their parts, such as feathers, nests, or eggs without a permit; “no permit is required if eggs or young birds are not present in the nest.

Swallows are a major nuisance, primarily because of the droppings they deposit. In such instances, they may create aesthetic problems, foul machinery, and cause health hazards by contaminating foodstuffs. Hematophagous (bloodsucking insects) fleas, ticks and mites inhabit nests.

Why be concerned?

Birds cause health, safety and property damage problems.

• Bird related bacterial, fungal, viral concerns (60 known diseases transmitted to humans)
• Defacing of buildings, structures and monuments
• Uric acids weaken structures by corrosion
• Nesting debris clogs gutters, dryer and roof ventilation causing moisture leaks and fire hazards.

What We Would Do

If you need to address a bird problem there is some valuable information you will need when choosing both the products used and a company to install them correctly. Learn about our Residential Nuisance Bird Abatement Systems and Commercial Nuisance Bird Abatement Systems.

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