Are Pigeon Nests Protected?

This is a very good question, and it's a question that not enough home and property owners ask BEFORE they take part in any pigeon removal activity.

Do you know what species of pigeon you have living in your backyard? Could it be the white-crowned pigeon, commonly found in a few places in and around Florida, in the United States, and this particular bird is actually classed as "protected". This is a species of pigeon that is endangered within that State, and is covered by not just Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species Rule, but also the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

If you don't know what particular species of pigeon you have in your backyard, you shouldn't take lethal action to remove it. If the species is an endangered one, the appropriate authorities will need to be called so that the pigeons can be safely removed and rehomed somewhere they will hopefully flourish.

The chances of you having a State or US-wide threatened or endangered pigeon in your backyard is slim to none, of course. Many of us are privy to just the regular, pest type of pigeon. You might think that the rules that govern the white-crowned pigeon don't apply to the regular pest-type, but that's not the case.

We discussed the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act a moment ago, and we feel it is very important to circle right back to it, because this Treaty Act will have a MASSIVE impact on how you are lawfully permitted to remove pest birds from your property, and we're not just talking about pigeons.

The pigeons that we know as feral pigeons are all derived from pets or tamed pigeons. The "pest" pigeon is not a species of bird that is native to the United States, which means that the pest pigeon — feral pigeon — is not an animal that will be covered by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. English sparrows are also included in this list of non-native bird species, and you can also add starlings to it, too. The rock dove or non-feral version of the pigeon, was first introduced to the Americas during the 1600's.

If you live in southern Texas, you may have encountered the red-billed pigeon, scientifically known as Patagioenas flavirostris. This pigeon breed IS covered and protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

One of the most widespread North American birds is Zenaida macroura or Mourning dove, and this looks very much like a pigeon. If you were to try and remove any of the birds, their young, eggs, or the nest, or you disrupt them in any way, you would be contravening the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The point we're trying to make here is that it can be easy to instantly assume you have one particular type of animal living in your back garden, when in actual fact, you don't. We have been to properties where a pigeon problem has been suspected and it's turned out to be a different bird, or pigeons alongside different birds. When that is the case, once again, you'll need to check that the other birds in the mix are not covered by the Treaty.

If you are in any doubt which type or species of pigeon/bird you have living in your back garden, always seek out an expert opinion. You never know, that expert opinion might just give you a few tips to shorten the time it takes to have a pigeon-proof property once again.