Learn More About Nuisance Birds

The pigeon was introduced to the United States as a domesticated bird from the European Rock Dove. Many of the birds escaped and began forming into wild populations. Today, the pigeon is the most severe bird pest to the human population.

Behavior:

• Pigeons stick together in large cities and may be seen congregating in flocks of hundreds on tall buildings. Smaller groups will take over a roof or two of a home, ledges, lofts, attics, drain spouts, and caves.
• These birds do not construct a nest as other birds would. Instead, they gather twigs, sticks, and grasses and clump them together to form a platform like nest.
• Feed on garbage, grain, and any other source of food that people may or may not intend to give them.
• Pigeons are monogamous- they have one mate for life. The male will care for and guard the female and the nest. Young will hatch 18 days later and will leave the nest at 4-6 weeks of age.

Identifying Characteristics:

Typically, pigeons have grayish to black bodies with a whitish behind, two distinguishing black bands on the wings, and a broad black band on the tail. The head is usually a darker gray color with greenish-purple metallic coloring. A pigeon can weigh as much as 13 oz. and average length is 11 inches. The only bird that the pigeon can be confused with is the mourning dove, but the main distinguishing features is the tail; the mourning dove has a pointed tail, and the pigeon has a fanned tail.

Historically since the 1800s, cowbirds get their name from years of following bison as they roamed grasslands. Cowbirds would follow them to catch the food bison would kick up as they roamed. Today, cowbirds are seen following cattle in the same manner as the bison.

Fun Fact: Cowbirds are not called a flock of birds; they are called a herd of birds.

Behavior:

• Cowbirds are most well-known and disliked because they are North America’s most common “nest parasite”. They do not build their own nests and care for their young, instead they lay their eggs in other small bird nests for that other species to care for the young. They lay their eggs in more than 220 species of birds.
• Some birds can recognize the difference in eggs; therefore, they usually kick out they cowbird eggs, build new nest over the eggs; larger birds puncture holes in the eggs or throw them out of the nest. For the most part, many species do not recognize the difference in eggs.
• Because cowbirds are nesting parasites, it is hard to figure out how social they are. They are not monogamous; in fact, the females have many different mates in a season.

Identifying Characteristics:

• • Males are small looking shiny black birds with a dull brown head. Females on the other hand, are much smaller than the male and are solid brown with a whitish throat.
  • Male: Length of the bird is 7.5-8.7 inches; weigh 1-2 oz with a wingspan of 14.2 inches
  • Female: Length 6-7.9 inches; weigh 1.3-1.6 oz with a wingspan of 15-12.6 inches.

The house sparrow has been around humans for centuries. In the 1850s, house sparrows were introduced in New York. Today the house sparrow can be found everywhere across North America, except Alaska and Northern Canada.

Behavior:

• House sparrows are associated with people; in rural dry areas, they only survive around people. In other areas, they can be found in farms, cities, suburbs; they will not, however, be found in woodlands or grasslands.
• Nest in holes of buildings, stuffing whatever materials they can find till the hole is practically filled. They also nest in streetlamps, traffic lights, and gas station roofs; making them a pest as they make messes with their droppings and nest materials.
• Sparrows are very aggressive when it comes to building their nests. They will take over other nests of other species of birds.
• House sparrows lay up to 8 eggs at a time- in approximately 14 days eggs will hatch.
• They are often found at bird feeders- they are very social and will be found with other birds feeding on breadcrumbs and in farms, can be found partaking of chicken feed, corn, grains, and seeds.

Identifying Characteristics:

• • House sparrow can grow to be 5-7 inches in length and weigh approximately 1 oz.
  • Their wingspan can reach up to 10 inches in length
  • They are about the size of a song sparrow but are stockier than most of their species.
  • Males are often more colorful than females-males have a black patch along their throat. Females are often a grayish brown colored and are more “dingy” or rough looking than the male house sparrows.

There are approximately 8 species of swallows commonly found in the United States. Swallows are widespread across North America and are often seen near open fields, bodies of water, agricultural areas, and residential structures. They prefer environments that provide open airspace for feeding and suitable surfaces for nesting.

Behavior:

• Swallows are generally monogamous during the breeding season. Females typically lay 3–6 eggs per clutch. Nests are often built on man-made structures such as eaves, barns, bridges, and sheds, using mud, grass, and plant fibers. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs, which hatch in approximately 14–18 days.

• Swallows feed almost exclusively on flying insects, including mosquitoes, flies, beetles, and gnats, making them effective natural insect control.

• These birds are highly social and often nest in colonies. Their attraction to buildings is due to stable surfaces for nest attachment and protection from predators and weather.

Identifying Characteristics:

• • Swallows are small to medium-sized birds with streamlined bodies, long pointed wings, and forked or slightly notched tails designed for agile flight.

  • Plumage varies by species but commonly includes shades of blue, brown, white, and rust. Many species have lighter underbellies and darker backs.

  • Swallows are often identified by their fast, acrobatic flight patterns and continuous swooping movements while feeding on insects in midair.