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Unit 2, 244 Treasure Road,
Welshpool,
Western Australia 6106
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Birds and Associated Problems
The Pigeon
The Domestic Pigeon, or Rock Pigeon, is found just about all over the world. They are kept by pigeon fanciers for show, racing and as pets. However, many of the pigeons seen around Perth are feral birds. Along with the Sea Gull and Crow, they are the primary scavengers of Perth. They congregate in all areas where food can be found. Place such as rubbish tips, recreational parks, roadside, industrial sites and inner city are popular attractions.
Pigeons are prolific breeders, and eggs are produced all year round but mainly in summer. They have a nest made of loose twig and sticks on a flat ledge. The breeding pair will usually produce 2 white eggs.
Pigeon Control & Diseases
As you may or may not be aware pigeons represent significant health risk to both staff and the general public. Pigeons are flying urban pests and are carriers of some contagious diseases, as well as being hosts to fleas, mites etc., all of which are readily transmitted to humans. Some of these diseases can also be caught from pigeon faeces. A pigeon’s nesting debris is usually made up of its own faeces and attracts other various pests eg. Rats, cockroaches and maggots, which each have their own problems associated with them.
The pigeon is known to carry over a dozen different disease organisms harmful to man. Some of the more common diseases humans’ contract are: -
Histoplasmosis: A systemic fungal disease which affects the lymph nodes and the trachea and bronchi of the lung. Microscopic spores of this disease are contained in the dust particles of dried out faeces and are transmitted to humans when they become airborne via ceiling vents or air conditioning vents etc.
Aspergillosis: Another fungal disease that affects the ears, sinuses and lungs and may cause lesions and skin infections.
Toxoplasmosis: An influenza type disease that has serious debilitating consequences and is particularly dangerous to pregnant women.
Encephalitis: A viral disease, which can be transmitted to humans from the pigeon by mosquitoes.
One of their favourite habitats are roof voids and roof air-conditioning units, which can be particularly dangerous as their diseases are spread throughout buildings via air vents etc. Pigeon faeces are highly corrosive and will damage electrical and metal fittings while blocking gutters and down pipes. This will make ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and midges and can also result in internal flooding. Pigeons are natural homing birds and once they have established a breeding area, they will remain there for the duration of their life. Pigeons are not native to Australia and are an environmental danger as they displace our own native birds from their own habitat.
The Sea Gull is a common site around Perth's shorelines, beaches, cliffs and waterways. It is effectively an ocean scavenger, but has changed its behaviour because of human development. They congregate in large flocks to feed on rubbish, decaying matter and are attracted to flood lights over water or lawn areas, in search of insects. The Sea Gull will travel long distances to find food, following watercourses inland or fishing boats out to sea.
The Sea Gull breeds from spring to autumn and has nests that a made up of cups of vegetation on the ground or in a shrub. The eggs are blotched and they usually produce 2-4 per breeding pair
The Swallow is a common resident of open air spaces around Perth, whether it be over bushland, roads or open grassed areas. It has benefited from the urban spread, using buildings and fixtures as suitable nesting sites. It is very vocal, calling constantly when in flight or perching, especially when arriving at a nest. It gets its name from the habit of building nests above doorways or on porches. The Swallow may be partially migratory with populations decreasing in summer, and increasing again in autumn. Their flocks can become quite large, with up to 100 birds or more, and will perch along powerlines or fences to regroup. They can be found all over Perth in all habitat types.
They breed between August and December and have a nest in a half-bowl of vegetation fused together with mud, and connected to flat vertical surface. The produce 4-6 eggs that are white and speckled.
The Dove is a familiar resident to the Perth area but is not native to Perth as it was introduced in 1896. This bird breeds all year round, but many broods fail as the nests are usually on a precarious branch and the nests are feebly made, as well as the chicks being a favourite food of domestic cats. The adults are very nervous and take to flight at sight of a human or sound of a loud noise; however they seem not to notice cars when feeding on the road and this frequently proves to be fatal. Doves eat various grains, seeds, small grass shoots and grit from the roadsides. They will frequently visit gardens where seed is left out and can gather in large flocks of up to thirty birds. They thrive in densely populated areas, and are usually seen perching on rooftops, TV antennae, telephone wires and roadsides.
The Crow is one of the most common birds found in Perth. Its fierce, menacing looks hide what is really a cowardly scavenger. It has benefited immensely from human activity and utilises rubbish and scraps as a food source as well as carrion hit by cars. The Crow is quite intelligent in their use of tools and teamwork to gain food and distract rival birds. They can gather in large flocks around areas where food is abundant, such as highschools, and can become a pest when numbers become too great. They will often pirate nests of other birds for eggs or nestlings. When breeding the pair builds the nest together and then the female incubates while being fed by the male. The chick is then chaperoned by either parent to forage.
The Magpie is a well-known icon of Australia. The males have a full white back and the females having a speckled back. Magpies live in close family groups and are extremely territorial. The groups have a strict hierarchy structure headed by the dominant male and female. Females build nests high, usually in the outer part of a tree. Although there are numerous accounts of Magpies attacking humans, they will usually keep their distance unless provoked or bad past experiences make them aggressive, in fact, Magpies will become quite tame if trust can be established. Magpies have a varied diet, including insects, larvae, beetles, seed and will occasionally take food from picnics or BBQ's.