Tyler to Blakeman: But hawks deter pigeons elsewhere!

Pale Male with morning pigeon at Great Lawn --Jan 18, 2007
Photo by Lincoln Karim

The next exchange between the Oklahoma guy with a pigeon problem and hawk expert John Blakeman. [For part I, see previous post]

John,

Thank you very much for your prompt and thoughtful response. It is disappointing to hear that I won't necessarily be able to justify implanting some nesting hawks for their pigeon prowess, but nonetheless the research has been fascinating up to now. These birds really are amazing!

However, I would like to ask of you a couple more questions if you don't mind. I can only assume that you are familiar with the Harris Hawks being used to clear pigeons from the public squares in London. Or perhaps the use of "skygaurd" Peregrine Falcons to clear pigeon and other pest birds from runways so they don't get sucked into a jet engine. What is it, essentially, about these projects that seem to have so much success? Is it perhaps active Falconry? Or is it simply the basic math of reproduction that makes pigeons with a solid high-calorie food source seemingly impossible to deter?

In any event, thank you again for your assistance. And keep up the interesting work you do with these fabulous and impressive creatures.

All the best,

Tyler F. Forve
Associate Business Manager Cargill Animal Nutrition - Southwest District Oklahoma City, OK

Blakeman's reply

Tyler,

Yes, the use of a Harris' Hawk against park pigeons works, as does the use of peregrines chasing off pigeons from airfields. One would think, then, that these should work at your facility. Here're the essential differences.

Falconry-trained Harris' Hawks can easily chase off pigeons in a city park. But as soon as the falconer and his bird leave, the birds will be right back. So, for incidental or event problems with pigeons, the hawk works. But for continuing control, it won't.

The same for bird control at airports by falcons. A soaring falconry hawk will definitely push off any birds below. If the falcon is flown daily over the airport, the pigeons, geese, and other birds will learn this schedule and go to other areas when the falcons are aloft.

That's the essence of the matter. The pigeons at your facility live there, they don't just come in from afar. Like similar grain-handling facilities, your pigeons regard your site as home. They know all the nooks and crannies in your buildings and machinery. Actually, a falconer flying a trained peregrine over your facility will make the pigeons disappear---but just while the hawk is aloft. The pigeons will poke their eyes out from behind where they are hiding and as soon as they don't see the hawk aloft, they will be right back.

Hawks are not able to reduce actual pigeon populations. At best, they can only temporarily cause the pigeons to stay hidden or parked away for a time from the immediately "protected" site. That works very well at airports, and London parks. but is not the real solution for your site. Park and airport pigeon-chasing hawks work only for a time, usually only while the falconer stands on the ground and controls his hawk. When the hawk is retrieved and put back into its mews, the pigeons come right back doing their typical pigeon things.

You need to keep pigeons away 24/7. Hawks and falcons can't do that. They can only divert the birds for a few hours or so, while the hawks remain on site.

But again, I commend you for your intelligent consideration of ecological solutions.

Sincerely,

John A. Blakeman